Who is Santosh Kumar Rai IAS? Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Parents, Education, Salary & Batch
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS is a 2014-batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, who is currently serving as the District Magistrate of New Delhi. He is known for his remarkable achievements in the field of civil services, especially in the areas of examination reforms, e-governance, and public service delivery. He has also been praised for his honesty, integrity, and dedication to his work.
Father, Mother, Birthday and Education
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS was born in 1982 (age: 41 years, as of 2023) in the Samastipur district of Bihar, in a humble farmer’s family. He completed his 10th and 12th in Science background from Bihar Board, with excellent marks. He then pursued his graduation in Political Science from Mithila University, Darbhanga. He was always interested in politics and social issues and wanted to join civil services to bring positive changes in society.
He started preparing for competitive examinations after his graduation and also got married in 2007. He has a daughter and a son, who are his source of inspiration and motivation. He cleared the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) in 2010, and got a posting in the Central Secretariat, New Delhi. This was his first big success, and also a golden opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming an IAS officer.
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS Wiki/Bio
| Name | Santosh Kumar Rai |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Samastipur, Bihar |
| Caste | Indian |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Education | B.A. in Political Science from Mithila University, Darbhanga |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Cadre | AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories) |
| Batch | 2014 |
| Rank | 107 |
| Current Posting | District Magistrate, New Delhi |
| Previous Postings | Assistant Commissioner, South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) <br> Deputy Commissioner, Lower Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh <br> Secretary and Controller of Examinations, Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) |
| Awards and Honours | Director’s Gold Medal for the best officer trainee in the 2014 batch |
| Family | Wife: Anjali Rai (Homemaker) <br> Daughter: Studying in Class 10 <br> Son: Studying in Class 6 |
| Interests | Reading, watching movies, documentaries, and web series, fitness, yoga, meditation, jogging, music |
| Social Media | Twitter- @SantoshRai_IAS Facebook- @santosh.chandra.10 Homepage- Newsunzip |
UPSC Journey and Career
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) for the first time in 2011, but could not clear the mains. He did not give up and tried again in 2012. This time, he cleared the exam with AIR 665 and was selected for IRS. However, he was not satisfied with his rank and wanted to improve it. He decided to take one more attempt and prepared with full dedication and determination. He also took guidance from some senior IAS officers, who helped him improve his answer writing and interview skills.
His hard work paid off, and he cleared the UPSC CSE in 2013 with AIR 107, in his third and final attempt. He was allotted IAS and chose the AGMUT cadre as his preference. He was overjoyed with his achievement and thanked his family, friends, mentors, and God for their support and blessings.
He joined the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie for his training and completed his Bharat Darshan and district training in Arunachal Pradesh. He also visited Singapore and Malaysia as part of his foreign exposure. He was awarded the Director’s Gold Medal for the best officer trainee in the 2014 batch.
Kumar Rai IAS started his career as an Assistant Commissioner in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), where he handled various departments such as property tax, licensing, horticulture, and sanitation. He also initiated several innovative projects, such as online payment of property tax, mobile app for grievance redressal, and beautification of parks and gardens.
He was then transferred to Arunachal Pradesh, where he served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Lower Subansiri district. He implemented several welfare schemes, such as PMAY, PMGSY, MGNREGA, and Swachh Bharat Mission, in the remote and hilly areas of the district. He also improved the law and order situation and promoted tourism and cultural activities. He was instrumental in organizing the first-ever Ziro Music Festival, which attracted thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad.
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS was then appointed as the Secretary and Controller of Examinations of the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB), where he brought about many revolutionary changes. He made the examination process more transparent, fair, and efficient, by introducing online applications, computer-based tests, biometric verification, and CCTV surveillance.
He also ensured that the results were declared within a few hours of the examination, and the merit list was published on the official website. He conducted eight examinations in one year and recruited more than 2,000 candidates for various posts in the state government.
Santosh was recently transferred and posted as the District Magistrate of New Delhi, where he is responsible for the administration and development of the national capital. He is also overseeing the COVID-19 management, vaccination drive, and disaster relief operations in the district. He is working closely with the Delhi government, the police, and the civic bodies, to ensure the safety and welfare of the citizens.
All are cordially invited in this Voter Awarenesses Programme. There are on the spot Quiz and Debate competitions and exciting prizes. So lets join and celebrate
— Santosh Kumar (@SantoshRai_IAS) December 16, 2023
WHY VOTING IS IMPORTANT!@CeodelhiOffice @ECISVEEP #TogetherWeCan https://t.co/YwNhlwpART
Personal Life and Interests
Santosh Rai is married to Mrs. Anjali Rai (unconfirmed), who is a homemaker and a supportive partner. They have a daughter, who is studying in Class 10, and a son, who is studying in Class 6. They live in a modest apartment in New Delhi and enjoy spending quality time with each other.
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS is a simple and humble person, who believes in leading by example. He is a man of principles and does not compromise on his values and ethics. He is also a man of action and does not shy away from taking challenges and risks. He is always ready to learn new things and adapt to changing situations.
Salary and Batch Details
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS belongs to the 2014 batch of IAS officers, which has 180 members. He is currently in the Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) of the service and has a pay scale of Rs. 78,800 – Rs. 2,09,200 per month, as per the 7th Pay Commission. He also gets various allowances, such as DA, HRA, TA, and medical benefits, as per the rules and regulations. His annual income is estimated to be around Rs. 15 lakhs.
He is expected to get promoted to the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) in the next few years, and then to the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) and the Apex Scale, depending on his performance and seniority. He may also get empanelled for the posts of Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, and Secretary, at the central government level, or equivalent posts at the state government level.
He is also eligible for various perks and privileges, such as official residence, vehicle, security, staff, and membership of clubs and associations. He also gets study leave, foreign training, and deputation opportunities, to enhance his skills and knowledge.
Santosh Kumar Rai IAS is one of the most dynamic and successful IAS officers of the country, who has made a mark in the field of civil services. He has shown exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication, in his various assignments and roles. He has also inspired many young aspirants, who want to join the civil services and serve the nation. He is a role model and an icon, for the people of Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and Delhi, and for the entire country. He is truly a shining star of the Indian bureaucracy.
