Rajeev Verma: IIT technocrat now at the helm of Delhi’s bureaucracy

When Rajeev Verma takes charge as the Delhi’s Chief Secretary on October 1, he will step into one of the most demanding administrative posts in the country. A 1992-batch IAS officer of the (Arunachal Pradesh–Goa–Mizoram–Union Territory) AGMUT cadre, Verma has spent over three decades navigating India’s bureaucracy, with a career that blends technical expertise and governance experience.

From engineering to administration

Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1966, Verma’s early academic path was shaped by engineering. He studied computer science in Roorkee before completing a master’s in technology from the Indian Institute of Technology. His entry into the Indian Administrative Service marked a turning point.

Not new to Delhi’s power corridors

The 58-year-old officer is not new to Delhi’s bureaucratic landscape. Between 2018 and 2022, he held the post of Finance and Revenue Secretary in the Capital, shaping fiscal policy and budget management. Before that, he served as the Principal Commissioner of Housing and Urban Affairs at the Delhi Development Authority, and earlier led the Transport Department.

At the Centre, Verma worked in the Defence Ministry as the Joint Secretary, and also had stints in the Power and Health Ministries. His leadership experience extends to the states too, having served as the Chief Secretary in Puducherry and later in Chandigarh.

Cleaning Yamuna to be top priority

Verma takes office at a moment when Delhi faces deep-seated challenges. Cleaning the Yamuna will be his most visible and immediate task, one that demands coordination across agencies and strict pollution control enforcement. The upcoming winter, which worsens both air and water quality, will intensify scrutiny of the project.

Beyond the Yamuna, traffic congestion, waste management, public transport and water supply remain high on the agenda.

A different political climate

Unlike some of his predecessors who operated in a politically divided environment, Verma steps in when the BJP controls the Centre, the Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation. This alignment may reduce bureaucratic tug-of-war.