IAS officer Anjaneya Kumar Singh is once again in the spotlight. The 2005-batch officer from the Sikkim cadre has received an extension for the seventh time to continue serving in Uttar Pradesh. The central government approved the deputation extension for one more year, allowing him to work in UP till August 2026. This raises the question: who is this officer, and what has he done that both governments, state and centre, do not want him to retire?
Called by SP, Trusted by BJP
Anjaneya Kumar Singh hails from Salahabad village in Mau district, Uttar Pradesh. After joining the Sikkim cadre, he served there for about eight years. In 2015, then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav brought him to Uttar Pradesh on the recommendation of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Singh took charge in UP on 16 February 2015. Within weeks, he became Special Secretary in the Irrigation Department and later held charge of the Sharda Sahayak Project. In 2016, he was appointed District Magistrate (DM) of Bulandshahr.
When Yogi Adityanath formed the government in March 2017, many believed Anjaneya would be sidelined because he was considered close to the previous Samajwadi Party regime. That did not happen. Instead, the new government gave him important postings. He became Additional Commissioner, GST; then DM Fatehpur; and in 2019, DM of Rampur. This shift marked his image as a trusted officer of the Yogi administration. His work showed that he functioned as a professional administrator, not as a political officer.
Tough Action Against Azam Khan
As Rampur DM, Anjaneya Kumar Singh took tough action against senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan. He ordered the demolition of an illegal Urdu Gate and cleared government land from the boundary wall of Jauhar University. He also freed a state-owned substation locked inside the campus and removed encroachments from land belonging to the Unani hospital. These actions angered Azam Khan, who launched personal attacks on Singh in speeches. Those speeches later became evidence that led to Azam’s conviction and three-year jail sentence.
Cases soon piled up. Based on Singh’s reports, nearly 98 cases were filed against Azam Khan. The Rampur DM declared him a land mafia. Consequently, Singh recovered 172 acres of government land occupied by Jauhar University. Singh also cancelled the assembly membership of Azam’s son Abdullah. This happened after it was found that he had submitted a fake age certificate.
From Rampur to Moradabad Commissioner
After two years in Rampur, Singh was promoted in March 2021 as Commissioner of Moradabad. He held the charge till 14 August 2025. After completing his term, he handed over duties to the new DM and went on leave. But within two days, the central government approved UP’s request to extend his deputation.
Now, Singh has received an extension for the seventh time. Rules normally allow an officer to serve on deputation for a maximum of five years. Yet, due to special circumstances, Singh has continued in UP for nearly ten years.
CM Yogi’s Favourite Officer
What makes Anjaneya Kumar Singh remarkable is the trust placed in him by both Akhilesh Yadav and Yogi Adityanath. Akhilesh appointed him to sensitive posts such as DM Bulandshahr. Meanwhile, Yogi assigned him to challenging districts like Rampur and Moradabad. Observers believe his tough working style and clean reputation are the reasons both governments preferred him.
With this seventh extension, it is clear Singh will continue to serve in UP in a new role. Given his history of taking direct and tough decisions in controversial cases, his next posting is expected to be equally important. Over the last decade, he has built a strong reputation in UP’s bureaucracy. He is a no-nonsense officer who has earned the confidence of both political rivals.
