Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle in Uttar Pradesh: 23 IAS Officers Transferred; Noida, Ghaziabad, and Prayagraj Get New DMs
Lucknow In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday transferred 23 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, including the district magistrates of three key districts—Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), Ghaziabad, and Prayagraj. The reshuffle, seen as part of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots governance ahead of crucial developmental pushes, has strategically repositioned officers known for their administrative acumen and field experience.
Medha Roopam Appointed Noida DM
Medha Roopam, a 2014-batch IAS officer, takes over as the new District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, replacing Manish Kumar Verma. Roopam, considered a trusted officer in the Chief Minister’s team, was a competitive shooter before joining the civil services. Her posting in Noida—a district known for rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and administrative challenges—is being seen as a calculated move given her growing reputation for effective governance.
Manish Kumar Verma, a 2011-batch officer who served as Noida DM until now, has been shifted to Prayagraj as its new District Magistrate. Verma’s prior experience in the Noida Authority as Additional CEO, and his stints in Mathura and Pratapgarh as Chief Development Officer, are expected to serve him well in managing Prayagraj, especially as the city continues to grow in political and religious significance.
Key Changes in Ghaziabad and Gorakhpur
Prayagraj’s outgoing DM, Ravindra Kumar Mandar (2012 batch), has been appointed as the new DM of Ghaziabad. Mandar previously served in Jaunpur and Prayagraj, where he was tasked with overseeing critical administrative duties during large-scale religious events, including the prestigious Prayagraj Kumbh Mela.
In Ghaziabad, Mandar succeeds Deepak Kumar Meena (2011 batch), who will now serve as District Magistrate of Gorakhpur—Chief Minister Adityanath’s home constituency. Meena, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, had a brief yet impactful tenure in Ghaziabad starting January 2025. Known for his swift response during the Kanwar Yatra and his handling of the Prateek Grand City sewage flooding probe, Meena also initiated public-friendly reforms such as real-time surveillance and expanded civil defence deployment.
His new role in Gorakhpur is likely to carry weight, given the district’s strategic and political significance. Meena replaces Krishna Karunesh, who has been appointed as the Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of the Noida Authority.
Krishna Karunesh Takes on Noida Authority Role
As the former DM of Gorakhpur, Krishna Karunesh is credited with securing a landmark MoU for the expansion of the Gorakhpur Airport. The agreement, which is poised to increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity from 270 to 2,500 per hour and allow up to 200 daily flights, was seen as a major infrastructural achievement for eastern Uttar Pradesh.
His transition to the Noida Authority as ACEO reflects the government’s intention to channel experienced officers into roles where urban planning, project execution, and investment facilitation are critical.
Strategic Timing
The reshuffle comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh is ramping up preparations for major industrial projects, infrastructure expansion, and improving law-and-order mechanisms in its high-growth districts. The government’s emphasis on field-tested administrators indicates a focused approach to performance-based postings, with an eye on long-term development and governance efficiency.
