In Kerala, the incumbent Chief Secretary Smt Sarada Muraleedharan is set to retire in April and only officers in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary would be considered for the top post. Currently there are six Additional Chief Secretary rank officers in the state: Jayathilak, Bishwanath Sinha (1992 batch), K R Jyothilal, Puneet Kumar, Davendra Kumar Dhodawat and Rajan N Khobragade (all 1993 batch). Davendra Kumar is now ACS to the Governor, while others are part of the state Government. A Jayathilak is the senior most among them. Manoj Joshi, a 1989 batch IAS, who is now on central deputation has bright chances.