The Uttar Pradesh government had submitted a request to the central government, about two weeks ago, seeking a service extension for Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, approval of which is still pending. The delay has fuelled widespread speculation among UP’s political circles. Sources close to the administration suggest that uncertainty looms over Singh’s service extension. Singh is set to retire on July 31. However, some bureaucrats indicate that any communication regarding the extension may come only on July 31, leaving the matter in suspense for now. With UP Assembly elections less than two years away, the government want its trusted and tested officers to roll out its major programmes. Singh, a 1988-batch IAS officer, was appointed Chief Secretary on June 30, 2024.