Who is Ghaziabad’s new DM Ravindra Mandar, the IAS officer behind Kumbh success?

Ravindra Kumar Mandar

In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Uttar Pradesh government appointed Ravindra Kumar Mandar as the new District Magistrate (DM) of Ghaziabad, shifting him from his previous posting in Prayagraj, where he was widely acclaimed for his supervision of the massive Kumbh Mela earlier this year.

Mandar, a 2013-batch IAS officer from Jaipur, Rajasthan, is recognized for his efficient and understated style of governance. During his time as Prayagraj DM, he not only successfully oversaw one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, the Kumbh Mela, but also demonstrated swift administrative action, notably in promptly investigating complaints related to the Panchayat Raj Department.

His career has seen assignments across several key districts in Uttar Pradesh, including significant stints as DM and Municipal Commissioner in Rampur, Jaunpur and Mathura. Among his notable achievements, Mandar led the acclaimed 'Mission Samarth' in Rampur, facilitating surgeries for 61 children with disabilities and directing extensive pond restoration works under the Amrit Sarovar scheme, TOI reported.

Mandar’s move comes amidst a wider transfer of 23 senior IAS officers, with new district magistrates posted across at least 10 districts, including  Gautam Buddh Nagar, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Bahraich, as part of the Yogi government's effort to accelerate development projects and improve administration.

As per TOI, the outgoing Ghaziabad DM, Deepak Meena, will now head Gorakhpur as its District Magistrate. An IIT Kharagpur graduate and 2011-batch officer, Meena is known for his rigorous management of high-footfall events. Most recently, he oversaw the just-concluded Kanwar Yatra in Ghaziabad, ensuring seamless coordination among police, municipal and disaster management teams.

Upon his new posting, Mandar inherits the responsibility of implementing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s initiatives for Ghaziabad, which include ambitious projects such as the development of Greater Ghaziabad, News24 reported. He is expected to bring his trademark combination of discretion and efficient execution to the role, at a time when expectations for the district’s growth are running high.