Kundan Kumar IAS: Steering Bihar Towards Industrial Excellence as Secretary of Industries

New Delhi : In the evolving landscape of Indian governance, Kundan Kumar, IAS (2004 batch, Bihar cadre), stands out as a versatile administrator who has seamlessly blended grassroots execution with high-stakes national policy-making. As of March 2026, he serves as Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, Patna. He concurrently holds additional charges as Managing Director, Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA); Managing Director, Infrastructure Development Authority (IDA); Investment Commissioner (Mumbai); and CEO, Bihar Foundation. Appointed in December 2025 after repatriation from New Delhi, his leadership is driving Bihar’s ambitious industrial growth agenda under the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025 (BIIPP-2025).

Born on 28 July 1975, Kundan Kumar holds a B.A. in History and is fluent in English and Hindi. He began his career in the Indian Railway Traffic Service before transitioning to the IAS, bringing unique expertise in logistics and infrastructure to every role. His journey reflects a commitment to transparent, technology-enabled, and people-centric governance.

Early Career and District Administration

Kundan Kumar’s foundational experience came through challenging district postings in Bihar, where he served as District Magistrate in Aurangabad, Nalanda, Samastipur, and Saran. These roles honed his ability to deliver results in complex socio-economic environments.

As DM Samastipur, he conceptualised and executed the “Saving the Womb” initiative, a pioneering programme that tackled irregularities in health insurance schemes like Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana while focusing on maternal and child health. Through rigorous monitoring, community mobilisation, and corrective interventions, the project significantly improved the child sex ratio and women’s health outcomes. This innovative effort earned him the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, underscoring his skill in addressing sensitive social issues with measurable impact.

During his tenure as DM Saran, he implemented exemplary electoral reforms that achieved near-100% photo coverage in voter lists and enhanced transparency. His initiatives in voter education and efficient poll management fetched him the National Award for Best Electoral Practices, presented by the President of India. These early successes established him as an officer capable of driving systemic change at the ground level.

Strategic Central Deputation: Private Secretary to Key Union Ministers

Kundan Kumar’s central deputation phase began with his appointment as Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Rajiv Pratap Rudy) around 2015. In this role, he contributed to the early rollout of flagship skilling initiatives under the National Skill Development Mission, focusing on coordination between central ministries, state governments, and industry partners to align training programmes with market needs.

He subsequently served as Private Secretary to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh (December 2017–May 2019). Handling high-pressure responsibilities in the Ministry of Home Affairs, he supported policy formulation and implementation on internal security, border management, disaster response, and centre-state coordination. His tenure coincided with critical national challenges, where his logistical acumen and calm crisis management proved invaluable.

In June 2019, he moved with Rajnath Singh to become Private Secretary to the Defence Minister, a tenure extended by two years in recognition of his performance. At the Ministry of Defence, he played a pivotal role in advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives in defence manufacturing, streamlining procurement processes, and strengthening tri-services coordination. His work facilitated faster decision-making on strategic projects, export promotion of indigenous defence equipment, and inter-ministerial synergy during a period of heightened geopolitical focus.

These ministerial roles equipped him with deep insights into national security architecture, policy execution at the highest levels, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Contributions at NITI Aayog (2021–2023)

Elevated to Adviser (later Joint Secretary) at NITI Aayog in August 2021, Kundan Kumar led the Managing Urbanization vertical while also overseeing aspects of the Skill Development & Employment vertical. His two-year stint marked a shift towards evidence-based policy design for sustainable urban and human-capital development.

A cornerstone of his work was spearheading the landmark study “Transition to Accrual Accounting: Models and Learnings for Urban Local Bodies” (published by NITI Aayog in January 2023 in collaboration with ICAI-ARF). As head of the Managing Urbanization vertical, he provided strategic leadership, coordinated nationwide consultations, and shaped the report’s recommendations. The 236-page document analyses municipal finance reforms across states, highlights successful models of accrual-based accounting, and offers actionable checklists and timelines for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). It emphasises how transparent financial reporting can enhance governance, service delivery, and creditworthiness of cities. The foreword explicitly commends Kumar and his team for their “commendable leadership” in producing this knowledge product.

Simultaneously, his oversight of skill-related verticals contributed to NITI’s broader agenda of aligning skilling with urban employment and economic planning. These contributions represent his most notable published policy work—an official NITI Aayog report that continues to guide municipal financial reforms across India.

Resident Commissioner, Bihar Bhawan & CEO, Bihar Foundation (2023–2025)

In February 2023, Kundan Kumar was appointed Resident Commissioner of Bihar Bhawan, New Delhi—the state’s official liaison office in the national capital. He simultaneously held charges as Investment Commissioner (Mumbai) and CEO, Bihar Foundation. In this multifaceted capacity, he emerged as Bihar’s key bridge to the Centre and the global Bihari diaspora.

As Resident Commissioner, he orchestrated seamless coordination between the Bihar government and Union ministries, ensuring faster project clearances, fund flows, and policy advocacy. He represented Bihar at high-level forums, diplomatic engagements, and investment roadshows, leveraging his ministerial experience to strengthen centre-state partnerships.

As CEO of the Bihar Foundation, Kumar revitalised diaspora engagement. He organised Bihar Diwas celebrations, investor meets, and virtual conclaves that connected non-resident Biharis with opportunities in the state. His Mumbai-based Investment Commissioner role focused on attracting corporate investments from western India, resulting in strengthened ties with industry leaders and multilateral institutions. These efforts laid the groundwork for Bihar’s industrial push by building a robust network of global stakeholders.

Revitalizing Bihar’s Industrial Ecosystem

Since taking charge as Secretary of Industries in December 2025, Kundan Kumar has accelerated implementation of BIIPP-2025—one of India’s most aggressive investment promotion schemes. Key incentives include industrial land at a token ₹1, substantial capital and interest subsidies, SGST reimbursement, and export benefits. Special provisions for large projects and Fortune 500 companies aim to create lakhs of jobs and curb migration.

Under his direct supervision of BIADA and IDA, he has fast-tracked the Amnesty and Exit Policies 2025 to revive sick units and unlock idle land. Recent reviews have identified over 100 acres of unproductive industrial land for reactivation, potentially unlocking ₹600–800 crore in fresh investments. Regular site inspections in industrial hubs like Hajipur and Samastipur, coupled with single-window clearances delivered within 12 days, have dramatically improved the ease of doing business.

He has actively promoted Bihar at national expos and international forums, highlighting sectors such as food processing, textiles, leather, dairy, electric vehicles, and AI-enabled manufacturing. Through the Bihar Foundation, diaspora investments continue to flow into skill-intensive and infrastructure projects.

Vision and Leadership Style

Kundan Kumar’s approach is defined by data-driven decision-making, inter-departmental synergy, and inclusive growth. Colleagues praise his energetic, approachable style and unwavering focus on execution. His official X handle (@kundan_ias) ensures real-time transparency on industrial progress.

Conclusion

From district-level social reforms to shaping national urban and skilling policies, and now spearheading Bihar’s industrial transformation, Kundan Kumar IAS exemplifies the Indian Administrative Service’s highest ideals. His rich experience across ministries, NITI Aayog, and diaspora outreach positions him perfectly to realise Bihar’s vision of becoming eastern India’s industrial powerhouse. With his proven track record, the state is set for accelerated investment, job creation, and self-reliant growth under dynamic leadership.