Education
B.Tech, Computer Science and Engineering — Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (1987)
MBA — Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (1989)
PhD, Information Technology — Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
PhD (in progress), Economics — Banaras Hindu University

LLB (Law), in progress

Development Commissioner, Bihar

Oversaw state-level economic planning, infrastructure growth, and plan implementation. Policy formulation and preparation of state five-year and annual development plans. Allocation of funds for development across various state departments. Monitoring of progress and review of execution and performance of state plan schemes and welfare programs. Inter-agency coordination, serving as a key liaison between state departments and central planning bodies like NITI Aayog.

Additional Chief Secretary — Education

Led a turnaround of Bihar’s education sector: teacher training, recruitment, and attendance reform. Under his tenure, Bihar’s education department implemented the world’s largest single-department biometric attendance system, covering roughly six lakh teachers marking attendance twice daily. He also drove the E-Siksha Kosh, India’s largest education-sector ERP database, covering teachers, students, inspections, and infrastructure, along with regular social audits through Panchayat Raj representatives and parent-teacher meetings, and a control-and-command centre for tracking grievances from teachers, parents, and students.

Finance, General Administration, and Other Roles
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration; Additional Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat; Secretary, Public Grievances; Director General, Bihar Institute of Public Administration & Rural Development; Mission Director, Bihar Prashasnik Sudhar Mission; Principal Secretary, Sugar Cane Department; Chairman, Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority; Chairman, Bihar Khadi and Village Industries Commission; CEO, Bihar Foundation; Chairman and Director, Centre for Economic Policy and Public Finance, Patna.

He has also served as a Director on the boards of several public sector undertakings of the Government of India and Government of Bihar, and is recognised for his expertise in commerce, industrial investment, and e-governance.

 Civil Aviation
Headed Bihar’s Civil Aviation Department, driving development of Darbhanga, Patna, and Purnia airports, and initiating development of state-government airports and heliports. Revived the Bihar Flying Institute.

 Industries
As Principal Secretary, Industries, and Industrial Development Commissioner, drafted the Bihar Industrial Policy 2016, Bihar Investment Act 2016, Bihar Investment Rules 2016, and Bihar Startup Policy 2017. Also worked on handlooms, handicrafts, silk, and skill development, and led Ease of Doing Business reforms across clearance-granting departments.

Urban Development
As Secretary, Urban Development, drafted the Bihar Urban Planning and Development Act 2014, its accompanying Rules, and the Bihar Building Bye-laws 2014. Initiated the DPR for the Patna Metro and the master plan for the Patna Metropolitan Area.

Bihar Government — Secretary-level Postings
Secretary to the Chief Minister; Secretary, Urban Development; Secretary, Information Technology; Secretary, Rural Works; Secretary, Labour; Principal Secretary, Industries.

Government of India
Director, Ministry of Heavy Industries.

District Administration
District Magistrate of Muzaffarpur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, and Lohardaga (Bihar).

Beyond Government
Dr. S. Siddharth is a wildlife photographer, painter, cartoonist, electronics hobbyist, and trainee pilot. His photography can be explored at siddharthphotography.com.