Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad will continue to lead the state’s civil administration until May 31, 2027, after the Central Government approved another six month extension in his service.
The decision, communicated by the Department of Personnel and Training on October 22, follows a formal request from the Andhra Pradesh government seeking to retain the senior IAS officer beyond November 30, 2026.
This is the second consecutive extension granted to Sai Prasad, a 1991 batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who was originally scheduled to retire on May 31, 2026. With the latest approval, his tenure will extend for a full year beyond his original retirement date.
State Government Sought His Continuation
The Andhra Pradesh government had written to the Centre on September 29, requesting permission to extend Sai Prasad’s service for another six months.
After examining the proposal, the Department of Personnel and Training approved his continuation from December 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027.
His first extension, approved in May this year, had allowed him to remain in service from June 1 to November 30, 2026. The latest decision provides clarity on who will head the state’s bureaucracy over the coming months.
A Senior IAS Officer with Over Three Decades of Experience
Sai Prasad has served in the Indian Administrative Service for more than three decades, handling responsibilities across district administration, land management, infrastructure, power and water resources.
He assumed charge as Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary at the end of February 2026, succeeding K. Vijayanand.
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Before taking over the state’s highest administrative position, he served as Special Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department and Ex Officio Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. He has also served as Chief Commissioner of Land Administration.
From Engineering to the Indian Administrative Service
Sai Prasad studied Electronics and Communication Engineering at Andhra University before pursuing postgraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. He also undertook studies in development policy at Duke University in the United States.
After joining the IAS in 1991, he began his administrative career in undivided Andhra Pradesh, including an early assignment as Assistant Collector in Warangal.
Why the Extension Matters
The Chief Secretary occupies the highest position in a state’s civil administration and coordinates the work of government departments. The office serves as a link between political leadership and the administrative machinery, helping translate government decisions into departmental action.
For Andhra Pradesh, retaining Sai Prasad provides continuity during a period involving infrastructure programmes, public service delivery and local body election administration. The practical impact will depend on how effectively departments implement government decisions.
What Happens Next?
With the Centre’s approval, Sai Prasad is expected to continue as Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary until May 31, 2027, unless further orders are issued. The state government will therefore not need to appoint a successor when his previously approved tenure ends on November 30, 2026.