A 1974-batch IAS officer, Rajagopalan was to retire from the civil services by this month end.

Sources in the General Administration Department (GAD) said on Thursday that the government had requested the Centre to extend his services till December.

Considered close to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Rajagopalan is known for his administrative acumen and competence in the state’s bureaucracy.

He had successfully handled the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summits (VGGIS) during his earlier stint as the Principal Secretary (Industries).

According to sources, this is one of the reasons why the Modi government sought the extension of his services.

With the extension granted, the two main contenders for the coveted post, Additional Chief Secretaries Balwant Singh and A K Joti, both 1975-batch IAS officers, will now have to wait till December.

At present, Singh is heading the Home Department, while Joti is in charge of the GAD.

It may be mentioned here that Rajagopalan had been appointed the State Chief Secretary in September 2008, superseding three IAS officers senior to him. These three officers included Additional Chief Secretaries Sudha Anchalia and K George Joseph (both 1972-batch officers) and Gurcharan Singh (1973-batch officer).

Anchalia has just retired from the civil services, her last assignment being the chairperson of Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers Company.