Patna: Pratyaya Amrit, a 1991-batch IAS officer known for his deep public connect and decades of committed service to Bihar, has been appointed the next Chief Secretary of the state. He will take charge on 1 September, succeeding Amrit Lal Meena who retires on 31 August. The General Administration Department has also appointed him as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Chief Secretary’s Office in the interim.
Currently serving as Bihar’s Development Commissioner, Amrit also holds additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary in both the Health and Disaster Management departments. With Assembly elections due in October-November this year, his appointment is being seen as a significant administrative move by the state government.
Over the years, Amrit has been at the forefront of Bihar’s infrastructure transformation—reviving public sector undertakings, pushing forward rural electrification, improving healthcare, and leading disaster management efforts. His public service is marked by a rare blend of administrative efficiency, strategic thinking and field-level engagement, earning him a wide reputation as a “people’s officer.”
A native of Bharatpura village in Gopalganj, Pratyaya Amrit was born in Muzaffarpur to academician parents. His father, Dr Ripusudan Srivastava, was a professor of philosophy and former Vice Chancellor of Jai Prakash University, Chapra. His mother, Dr Kavita Verma, was a Hindi professor at Langat Singh College. Amrit studied at the prestigious The Hindu College and later completed his post-graduation in Ancient History from Delhi University, topping his class. He cleared the Civil Services Examination in 1991.
His early administrative assignments in Katihar, Chapra and Jehanabad laid the foundation for his public-oriented approach. In Katihar, he introduced a PPP-run district hospital model, which drew national attention for its effectiveness in public health delivery.
Amrit’s career entered a new phase in 2006 when he was called back from central deputation to Bihar. At that time, the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam was on the brink of closure. He was entrusted with its revival. Under his leadership, the organisation was turned around, completing over 1,100 bridge projects and becoming a profitable public enterprise. His efforts were recognised with the Prime Minister’s Excellence Award in Public Administration in 2011—the only individual officer to receive the honour that year.
As Secretary of Road Construction and later of the Energy Department, he played a critical role in the construction of signature infrastructure such as the Ganga Path and the AIIMS-Digha flyover. He was instrumental in strengthening Bihar’s rural electrification network, connecting tens of thousands of villages to the grid.
In 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amrit was given charge of the Health Department. He led the department’s efforts to improve testing, ramp up vaccination drives, and expand hospital capacity—showing his ability to lead under pressure and deliver during crises.
He also brought cultural and social sensitivities into governance. He introduced artwork in government buildings and took a stand against vulgar dance performances at public events like the Sonepur Mela.
Amrit comes from a family of civil servants. His sister Pragya Richa is a 1991-batch IPS officer, his brother-in-law Manu Srivastava is also a 1991-batch IAS officer, and his wife Dr Ratna Srivastava, a professor at A.N. College in Patna, has recently been appointed its principal.
With a proven track record of driving results in some of the most critical sectors, Pratyaya Amrit’s elevation to Chief Secretary is expected to bring administrative strength at a crucial juncture for Bihar. As Nitish Kumar prepares for another election cycle, he has once again turned to a trusted hand—an officer whose work has long been central to the state’s development narrative.
BI Bureau
