Lucknow: On 19 May 2017, after returning from central deputation in Delhi, when SP Goyal was appointed Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, he was widely seen as the Centre’s man in Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, Goyal earned Yogi Adityanath’s trust and emerged as one of the most influential backroom strategists in the Chief Minister’s office. He came to be known as “SPG”, and the joke went, “If you are an SPG protectee in UP’s bureaucracy, you are safe”.
On 31 July, when IAS officer Manoj Kumar Singh, who was also considered close to CM Yogi Adityanath, was denied an extension, the Chief Minister chose to appoint SP Goyal as the new Chief Secretary, relying on his experience and trusted ability to serve as a bridge between the Centre and the state government.
1989 batch IAS Shashi Prakash Goyal, with over eight years of experience in the Chief Minister’s Office, is currently the senior-most civil servant in the state. He has held several key positions over the years. Now, as Chief Secretary, Goyal will oversee several critical roles: Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary (Coordination), Chairperson of PICUP, CEO of UPEIDA and UPSHA, and Project Director of UP DASP.
Goyal’s bureaucratic journey includes a stint as Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development from October 2014 to May 2017. Upon returning to the state, he was posted directly as Principal Secretary to the CM. Approved for central deputation in 2024, Goyal is due to retire in January 2027. There was speculation for the past month over Singh’s potential extension.
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Seniority, trust and caste balance
Manoj Kumar Singh, believed to be close to the CM, was widely expected to get an extension. But eventually, Goyal was chosen perhaps for his seniority, reliability, and his long-standing working relationship with the CM.
“Goyal has always been one of the most influential civil servants in Uttar Pradesh. While many others tried to project themselves as powerful and close to the Chief Minister, Goyal maintained a low profile, and that worked in his favour throughout his career. In reality, all key files go through him. Particularly transfer-posting related files. There’s no doubt he is the most powerful civil servant in the state today and has direct access to the top leadership,” a senior functionary at the CM’s office told ThePrint.
Functionaries also claim that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Goyal acted as a crucial link between the Chief Minister and other departments.
Initially viewed as close to BJP organisational leaders, Goyal has, over the years, earned CM Yogi’s full confidence, emerging as a dependable and low-risk choice for the top administrative post. His appointment also balanced out the caste equations in top seats in Uttar Pradesh.
A senior BJP functionary in Uttar Pradesh called the move a smart and balanced decision. He said, “From a caste-equation point of view, it makes sense. Manoj Singh is a Thakur, while Goyal is a Baniya. Now the Opposition can’t claim that Yogi is favouring Thakurs. That said, both the DGP and the Chief Secretary are now from the Baniya community, which is considered one of our core voter groups. Apart from this, he also shares a good rapport with the Centre, so that is why he has emerged as a safer option for the chief secretary post when there are issues of rift between Centre and the state.”
Top contender for CS role since 2024
Interestingly, SP Goyal was seen as a top contender for the Chief Secretary’s post in 2024 after Durga Shankar Mishra’s term ended. However, the role was given to 1988 batch officer Manoj Kumar Singh.
According to sources, after Manoj Kumar Singh was appointed Chief Secretary, there were widespread rumours of a divide within the Chief Minister’s Office and core team with one faction reportedly led by Singh and the other by SP Goyal. However, Singh’s retirement has put an end to this quiet power struggle. Now, Goyal is expected to take the lead, though sources say that 1995-batch IAS officer Sanjay Prasad also holds significant influence in the Chief Minister’s Office.
On 31 July, the Civil Aviation and estate portfolios were transferred to Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary to the CM and Home Department, suggesting that a new ACS may not be appointed in the CM’s office anytime soon.
Strong since BSP’s regime
Goyal, who was also a powerful figure during the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government from 2007 to 2012, will now take on additional responsibilities as the Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary of the Coordination Department, and CEO of UPIEDA. He also served as Secretary in the Planning Department and Principal Secretary in the Programme Implementation Department during the Samajwadi Party government.
Hailing from Lucknow, SP Goyal holds a BSc (Hons) and an MCA degree. He began his administrative career as an Assistant Magistrate in Etawah. Over the years, he served as Chief Development Officer (CDO) in districts like Meerut, Aligarh, and Bahraich. He also held the post of District Magistrate (DM) in Mathura, Etawah, Prayagraj, and Deoria.
Goyal is also known for his strong loyalty to his batchmates. Within Uttar Pradesh’s bureaucracy, it was often said that after joining the Chief Minister’s Office, he ensured favourable postings for several of his batchmates.
His batchmates describe him as soft-spoken and efficient. Retired IAS officer Sanjay Bhoosreddy, who was also part of Goyal’s batch, told ThePrint, “Shashi has always been simple and grounded. He is known for his politeness. He never gets loud while speaking, and no one has ever seen him angry, at least not verbally. He’s always maintained a calm and respectful tone.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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