Iqbal Singh Chahal IAS Wikipedia, Age, Batch, Wife, Cadre, Current Posting, Family And More   

Iqbal Singh Chahal is a seasoned Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1989 batch of the Maharashtra cadre. He was born on 20 January 1966 in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, and has over three decades of experience in public service. Chahal is well-known for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai, where his “Mumbai Model” was widely praised for curbing the virus’s spread. He has held various key positions, including District Collector of Aurangabad and Thane, and is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s office. Chahal is set to retire on 31 January 2026.

Quick Info Of Iqbal Singh Chahal IAS

Iqbal Singh Chahal Family

Iqbal Singh Chahal was born into a distinguished family. His father, M.S. Chahal, is a retired lieutenant colonel of the Indian Army. His brother, Rajender Singh, is a businessman residing in the United States. Iqbal Singh Chahal’s father-in-law, Ajit Singh Chatha, is a former Punjab Chief Secretary and an IAS officer. While details about his wife are not publicly available, his family has a strong legacy of public service.

IAS Iqbal Singh Chahal Religion

Iqbal Singh Chahal practices Hinduism, coming from a family with strong ties to service and administration, both in the Indian Army and the Indian Administrative Services.

Iqbal Singh Chahal IAS Educational Qualification

Iqbal Singh Chahal is highly educated, holding a B.E. in Electronics from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. He completed his primary education at St. Joseph’s Convent Secondary School in Pathankot, Punjab, and later attended Kendriya Vidyalaya No.1 (Army) for his high school education.

Iqbal Singh Chahal UPSC Journey

Chahal cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam at the age of 22, joining the IAS in 1989. His first posting was as a Supernumerary Assistant Collector in 1990. Since then, he has held numerous important positions, such as Additional Chief Secretary Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, Joint Secretary in various ministries in the Government of India, and Principal Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra.

Iqbal Singh Chahal IAS Current Posting

Iqbal Singh Chahal is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s office. His last notable role was during the COVID-19 pandemic, where his proactive approach helped Mumbai manage the crisis effectively. His efforts were recognized by both the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court.

Major Positions Held By Iqbal Singh Chahal IAS

Throughout his distinguished career, Iqbal Singh Chahal has held numerous high-ranking positions that have allowed him to make significant contributions to governance and public service. His early career saw him serve as Chief Executive Officer of Zila Parishad, Nashik from 1993 to 1996, where he focused on rural development and local administration. He then took on the role of Additional Commissioner of Aurangabad (1996-1997) and later became District Collector of Aurangabad (1997-2001), where he oversaw various district-level operations and development projects.

Chahal’s leadership extended to other key roles, such as District Collector of Thane, where he continued his focus on urban management and development. He served as Vice Chairman and CEO of the Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority (MHADA) in Mumbai from 2006 to 2007, playing a pivotal role in housing development in one of India’s largest cities.

At the national level, Chahal worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs from 2013 to 2014, followed by his tenure as Joint Secretary, Women & Child Development, Government of India (2014-2015). He later returned to Maharashtra as Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department (2016-2020) and Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department in 2020.

Currently, Iqbal Singh Chahal holds the position of Additional Chief Secretary in the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office, where he continues to contribute to the state’s governance, especially through his recognized efforts in managing the COVID-19 crisis.

Awards & Achievements:

Iqbal Singh Chahal’s exemplary work, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has earned him widespread recognition and several prestigious awards. His leadership in implementing the “Mumbai Model” to manage the pandemic was praised by both the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court. This proactive approach, which included expanding hospital capacity, converting vehicles into ambulances, and enforcing strict lockdowns in slum areas like Dharavi, was instrumental in controlling the spread of the virus in Mumbai.

For his outstanding efforts, Chahal received the COVID Crusader Award and was honored with the Best IAS Officer Award at the 12th Newsmakers Achievers Awards in 2020 and 2021. He was also awarded the Excellence in Crisis Management Award for his successful handling of the pandemic, alongside the Maharashtrian of the Year Award by Lokmat in 2021. Further recognizing his leadership, Chahal received the Qimpro Medal for extraordinary achievement during the COVID pandemic and the Mumbai Ratna for his significant role in safeguarding the city.

In addition to these accolades, Iqbal Singh Chahal was conferred with honorary degrees, including the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, Punjab (2022), and the Honoris Causa by the Thapar Institute (2021), acknowledging his contributions to public service and crisis management.