Early Life & Education
Shamsher Singh Rawat was born on December 20, 1969. He joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the 1992 batch, allotted to the Andhra Pradesh cadre. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and has built a formidable administrative career spanning several decades (The secretariat).
Career Trajectory & Key Roles
Over his long career, Rawat has gained wide-ranging administrative experience across multiple critical departments:
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District Collector & Magistrate, Chittoor – Managed local administration and development initiatives.
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Held roles in Rural Development, including as Commissioner, playing a central role in policy implementation at grassroots.
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Appointed Secretary to the Government in the Social Welfare Department.
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Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Civil Supplies Corporation – instrumental in supply chain and welfare policy strategies.
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Special Secretary to the Chief Minister – acted as a key liaison for policy execution at the highest level.
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Worked in Taxation, serving as Additional Commissioner.
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Held leadership as Principal Secretary, Lesser-known but vital roles in the Minorities Welfare Department between August 2016 and April 2019 (Indian Bureaucracy, Indian Masterminds, The secretariat).
Recent Developments & Current Role
As of April 30, 2025, Shamsher Singh Rawat was appointed Special Chief Secretary, General Administration Department (Services & HRM), Government of Andhra Pradesh—taking over from Mukesh Kumar Meena, IAS (1998 batch) (Indian Masterminds, Indian Bureaucracy, Government of Andhra Pradesh).
Some profiles, including The Secretariat, continue to list him as serving in key roles in Finance Department, indicating either a recent transfer or overlapping responsibilities (The secretariat).
Recent News & Administrative Impact
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Appointment and Strategic Importance
His elevation to Special Chief Secretary, GAD (Services & HRM) is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen governance and human resource management within Andhra Pradesh’s bureaucracy (Indian Masterminds, Indian Bureaucracy). -
Controversy: Court-Ordered Sentencing
In September 2021, the Andhra Pradesh High Court convicted Rawat (then serving as Principal Finance Secretary) in a contempt case. He was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and fined Rs. 1,000, although the sentence was suspended for one month to allow appeal (National Herald). This stemmed from his department's failure to comply with a 2017 court order to compensate a farmer whose land was resumed without notice.
While that was the most notable controversy tied to his name, there is no widely reported or verified recent scandal or administrative misconduct beyond the 2021 case.
Top Interesting Facts
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IAS Journey Since 1992 – Over three decades of service in the IAS, maintaining relevance and adaptability across administrations.
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Diverse Departmental Experience – Served in Social Welfare, Rural Development, Finance, Minorities Welfare, Civil Supplies, Taxes, and as Special Secretary to the CM.
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Role in Welfare – Especially notable as Vice Chairman & MD of Civil Supplies, shaping policies on public distribution.
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Court Case – One of the few serving IAS officers in Andhra Pradesh to be sentenced in a contempt case—though with the sentence stayed.
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Cadre Loyalty – Native to Andhra Pradesh cadre, he has stayed within and served the state for his entire career.
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Strategic HR Administrator – His current post focuses on bureaucracy oversight and human resource management in the state machinery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question | Answer |
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Who is Shamsher Singh Rawat? | A 1992 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, currently serving as Special Chief Secretary, GAD (Services & HRM). |
When and where was he born? | December 20, 1969. Exact birthplace details aren't publicly available. |
What is his educational qualification? | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. |
What major departments has he served in? | Social Welfare, Rural Development, Finance, Minorities Welfare, Civil Supplies, Taxes, and as Special Secretary to the CM. |
What is his current role? | Special Chief Secretary, General Administration (Services & HRM) Department, Andhra Pradesh since April 2025. |
Has he been involved in any controversies? | Yes—he was convicted in a 2021 contempt case by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, but the sentence was suspended pending appeal. |
What was the contempt case about? | Failure to implement a 2017 court order to compensate a landowner, leading to a summons and conviction in 2021. |
Is he from Andhra Pradesh? | He belongs to the Andhra Pradesh IAS cadre, but his personal origin isn't publicly specified beyond that. |
Has he held any welfare-related leadership roles? | Yes—significant contributions in Social Welfare, Civil Supplies, and Minorities Welfare departments. |
What makes his current role notable? | As Special Chief Secretary in GAD (Services & HRM), he holds substantial influence over administrative reform and bureaucratic staffing. |
Final Thoughts
Shamsher Singh Rawat’s career is a testament to longevity, adaptability, and the complexities of public administration. From grassroots roles like District Collector to strategic leadership in welfare, policy, and governance, his trajectory reflects a deep engagement with state affairs. His recent appointment positions him at the center of administrative oversight in Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, the 2021 contempt case stands out as a rare blemish—but one viewed through the lens of appeal and procedural nuances.
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