Wed Dec 31 20:52:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:

Summary:

The article reports on a significant bureaucratic reshuffle in West Bengal, India, at the end of 2025. Senior IAS officer Nandini Chakravorty has been appointed as the first female Chief Secretary of the state, replacing the retiring Manoj Pant. Pant has been appointed as Principal Secretary to the Chief Secretary. Jagdish Prasad Meena is to be new Home Secretary. This change is particularly noteworthy as West Bengal prepares for assembly elections in 2026. This continues a trend by the Mamata Banerjee government of retaining retiring Chief Secretaries in advisory roles.

News Article:

West Bengal Appoints First Female Chief Secretary Ahead of 2026 Elections

Kolkata, January 1, 2026 (The Hindu) – In a historic move, the West Bengal government has appointed Nandini Chakravorty as the state’s new Chief Secretary, making her the first woman to hold the top administrative position. The appointment, effective December 31, 2025, comes as West Bengal gears up for crucial assembly elections in 2026.

Chakravorty, formerly in charge of the State’s Home and Hill Affairs Department, succeeds Manoj Pant, who superannuated on the same day. Pant, whose initial term was set to end in June 2025 but extended by six months, will now serve as Principal Secretary to the Chief Secretary, a position also carrying the rank of Chief Secretary. Jagdish Prasad Meena will be new Home Secretary.

The bureaucratic reshuffle is being closely watched as political tensions rise in the lead-up to the state elections.

This move aligns with a recent pattern established by the Mamata Banerjee government. Previously, outgoing Chief Secretaries have been retained in advisory capacities. H.K. Dwivedi, the Chief Secretary of 2024, was appointed Chief Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister, while his predecessor, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, became the Chief Minister’s principal advisor upon retirement. This continues the trend.

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