The 1992-batch officer cites personal reasons for seeking VRS ahead of September 2027 retirement.
Hyderabad: Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan has decided to seek voluntary retirement from the IAS, nearly 10 months before his scheduled retirement in September 2027, triggering speculation in bureaucratic circles over his next move. The 1992-batch IAS officer, currently heading the Hyderabad Metropolitan Area and Urban Development (MA&UD) department, said he would apply for voluntary retirement in the coming months, citing personal reasons.
“I have not applied for VRS so far, but will be doing so in the coming few months,” Jayesh Ranjan told this newspaper when asked about his plans. Asked about the reasons behind his decision, he said it was due to personal reasons.
There was speculation that Ranjan had received an offer for a senior-level position at a US-based company, though there was no official confirmation in this regard.
Ranjan has had a long and influential tenure in IT and industries sectors, serving as secretary of the two departments from April 2015 to December 2023 under the BRS government and continuing in the role under the Congress government until April 2025. His decade-long stint made him the longest-serving head of the IT and industries departments.
Known for his approach to attracting investments and facilitating faster clearances for major IT and industrial projects, Ranjan played a key role in promoting Telangana as an investment destination across successive governments.
In December last year, following the Telangana Rising Global Summit, the state government transferred him as special chief secretary for MA&UD. Before that, he had served as chief secretary and CEO of the industry and investment cell in the Chief Minister’s Office.
Ranjan was also among the contenders for the Chief Secretary’s post in June this year. The government, however, selected Sanjay Jaju, who was on long deputation with the Central services. Ranjan’s decision to consider an early exit from service comes nearly a year after another senior IAS officer, principal secretary of the excise department, S.A.M. Rizvi, applied for voluntary retirement in October last year citing personal reasons.
