State PCS - Chhattisgarh (CGPSC)

• 26 Sep 2025

Vikas Sheel Appointed Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Vikas Sheel, a senior IAS officer, has been appointed as the 13th Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, succeeding Amitabh Jain, who will retire on 30th September 2025.

• He has held key positions, including Collector of Raipur and Bilaspur districts, Secretary in various state departments, and is currently serving as an advisor to the Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Key Facts About Chief Secretary

• Origin: The office of the Chief Secretary in India originated during British rule in 1799 under Lord Wellesley and has since become integral to the state's administration. 
  • The Chief Secretary serves as the highest-ranking civil servant in a state, overseeing the state Secretariat and coordinating government functions.
• Appointment and Status: The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister (in the name of the Governor of the state) from senior IAS officers based on factors like seniority, merit, and trust. 
  • The office was standardized in 1973 to equate it with the position of Secretary to the Government of India. 
• Powers and Functions:
  • Advisor to Chief Minister: Acts as the principal advisor on matters of state administration and provides guidance on policy issues.
  • Secretary to the Cabinet: Prepares the Cabinet meeting agenda, records proceedings, and oversees decision implementation.
  • Head of Civil Service: Oversees appointments, transfers, and promotions within the state civil service and maintains the morale of civil servants.
  • Chief Coordinator: Ensures inter-departmental coordination, presides over coordination committees, and resolves disputes between departments.
  • Head of Certain Departments: Directly manages key departments such as General Administration, Personnel, and Planning.
  • Crisis Administrator: Leads relief operations during crises like floods, droughts, and communal disturbances, representing the state government during emergencies.

World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC) 2025

Why in News?

The World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC) 2025 was inaugurated at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister hailed para athletes as breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks, underscoring India’s identity as a sporting and inclusive nation.

Key Points

• About: This year's championship, scheduled from 27th September to 5th October 2025, boasts a record-breaking 2,200 participants from 104 nations, marking it as the largest para sports event ever hosted on Indian soil.
  •  The event will also feature India's largest-ever contingent of 74 athletes.
• India’s First: India will host the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time, becoming the fourth Asian nation to do so, following Qatar, the UAE, and Japan.
• Infrastructure: The event is being held on the newly-laid Mondo track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which was previously used at the Paris Paralympics 2024 and inaugurated on National Sports Day.
  • Alongside the main competition track, a Mondo warm-up track and a multi-speciality gymnasium, capable of training 200 athletes simultaneously, were also inaugurated, emphasising India's commitment to world-class sports infrastructure.
• Previous Achievement: India’s remarkable rise in para sports is evident, with the country achieving its best-ever performance at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, securing sixth place overall with 17 medals, including six golds, five silvers, and six bronzes.
• Significance: This event is part of India’s long-term strategy to host major global sporting events, with plans already underway for the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and aspirations to host the Olympic Games in 2036.