Atish Chandra, a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, currently serves as a Special Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. Recently, he was appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare with the rank of Secretary, a key administrative position. He is set to formally assume the full responsibilities of Secretary on February 28, 2026, upon the retirement of the current Secretary, Devesh Chaturvedi, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre. The government, as part of its renewed focus on agricultural sector reforms, has given Atish Chandra considerable autonomy to build his team within the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. This move reflects a strategic decision to empower new leadership with a free hand to bring in officers aligned with the ambitious reform agenda. The agriculture ministry is poised to undertake a series of structural changes aimed at improving productivity, farmer income, market transparency, and sustainability practices. Chandra’s team is expected to comprise experts capable of navigating complex policy environments, leveraging modern technologies, and enhancing coordination between central and state governments.

This leadership change and the new team formation are seen as crucial to the success of the government’s ongoing commitment to transforming the agriculture landscape. It demonstrates trust in Atish Chandra’s strategic vision and administrative capabilities to steer reforms through diverse challenges. The ministry will likely prioritize innovations in supply chain management, farmers’ welfare schemes, crop diversification, and integration of sustainable practices under his leadership. Overall, Atish Chandra’s appointment and team flexibility mark a significant step towards accelerating agricultural reforms in India.