Kaushal Raj Sharma, Modi’s Blue-Eyed Boy In Varanasi, DJB's New CEO

On May 5, the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) issued an order saying “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal… for inter cadre deputation of Kaushal Raj Sharma, IAS (UP:2006) from Uttar Pradesh cadre to AGMUT cadre (Delhi Segment) for three years, in relaxation of the policy.”

Subsequently, in an order issued by the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on May 6, 2025 appointed Sharma as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the DJB, upon his joining the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).   

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had given its approval to send Kaushal on deputation to AGMUT cadre for three years. Sources said Sharma handled several ambitious projects in the Prime Minister’s constituency Varanasi, while serving as District Magistrate (DM) and Divisional Commissioner (DC). 

Because of Sharma’s proximity to the PM, there was earlier a buzz in bureaucratic circles that he would be sent on central deputation to get posted at the central government or the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Sharma had served in PM Modi’s constituency Varanasi for over 5 years, holding different positions, including as DM and then as DC of Varanasi, before being shifted to Lucknow as Secretary to the Chief Minister. 

He also held the post of CDO Lucknow and special secretary in the infrastructure and industry departments, and served as DM in five districts, including Lucknow, Pilibhit, Muzaffarnagar, Prayagraj and Kanpur Nagar.

Sharma was first posted in Varanasi as DM on November 2, 2019. In June 2022, the state government promoted him to DC and transferred him to Prayagraj, but the move was halted. Thereafter, he held the dual charge as Varanasi DM and DC for some time, before taking over as Varanasi DC from October 7, 2022.