New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Sanjeev Khirwar (IAS: 1994: AGMUT) as the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), marking a significant return for the veteran bureaucrat to Delhi’s administrative machinery.
Khirwar succeeds Ashwani Kumar (IAS: 1992: AGMUT), who has been assigned a strategic posting in Jammu & Kashmir. His appointment, formalized in the first week of January 2026, comes after his stint in Ladakh (2022–2026) and is viewed as a tactical move by the Center to leverage his expertise in Delhi’s complex governance landscape.
About IAS Sanjeev Khirwar
- Batch & Cadre: 1994, AGMUT
- Date of Birth: November 29, 1971
- Birthplace: Delhi
Education:
- B.Tech in Computer Science, IIT Delhi (1989–1993)
- M.A. in Economics
Family: Married to Rinku Dugga, also a 1994-batch IAS officer
Career Highlights
- Early Career
- First posting as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Chandigarh
State Postings
- Goa: Held senior positions including Excise Commissioner and Finance Commissioner
- Arunachal Pradesh & Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Key administrative roles
Central Deputation (2009–2014)
Served as Private Secretary to the Union Minister for Women and Child Development
Delhi Government
Held several important positions:
- Principal Secretary (Revenue)
- Divisional Commissioner
- Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Finance, and Environment
- Ladakh (2022–2026)
Oversaw critical portfolios as Principal Secretary in School Education, Health, and Science & Technology
Significance of the Appointment
Khirwar’s return to Delhi is expected to:
- Strengthen municipal governance in India’s capital
- Leverage his deep knowledge of Delhi’s administrative framework
- Streamline coordination across departments including health, education, finance, and urban development
Officials note that Khirwar’s wide-ranging experience across states, central deputations, and union territories positions him to manage MCD’s multifaceted responsibilities effectively.
