Retired IAS officer Arun Kumar Gupta took oath as Chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij administered the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony held at Haryana Niwas in Chandigarh. Gupta will hold office for five years from the date he took the oath, or until he turns 65, whichever comes first. The post had been vacant since 23 July 2026, when the then chairman, Nand Lal Sharma, died in office.
The oath ceremony
The ceremony was held at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. After taking the oath, Gupta said he would discharge his responsibilities as Chairman of the Commission with utmost dedication, transparency and impartiality. Senior officers present included Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; A.K. Singh, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce; Dr Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Energy Department; Ashima Brar and C.G. Rajinikanthan, Commissioners and Secretaries, Finance; the Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd (HVPNL); Dr Aditya Dahiya, Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department; and Vikram, Special Secretary, Energy Department.
Who is Arun Kumar Gupta
Arun Kumar Gupta is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre who retired last month, in October 2026. Until September 2026, he was Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. He has earlier served as Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department. He knows the power sector from the inside, having served as Secretary of HERC and as Managing Director of power utilities. The state government named him HERC Chairman on 6 November 2026.
Why the post was vacant
The chairman’s post had been empty since 23 July 2026, when Nand Lal Sharma died in office. The Commission had been functioning without a full-time chairman since then. With Gupta’s appointment and oath, the regulator now has a full-time head again.
What HERC does
The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission plays an important role in ensuring transparency and efficiency in the state’s power sector and safeguarding consumer interests. The Commission determines electricity tariffs, works to improve the quality of power supply, protects consumer rights and promotes renewable energy. Its objective is an effective regulatory framework that promotes balanced development of the power sector while providing consumers with reliable and quality electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Arun Kumar Gupta take oath as HERC Chairman? On 10 November 2026, at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh. Energy Minister Anil Vij administered the oath.
- Who is Arun Kumar Gupta? A retired 1992-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre. He was Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Additional Chief Secretary, Finance.
- How long is the HERC Chairman’s term? Five years from the date of oath, or until the age of 65, whichever comes first.
- Why was the chairman’s post vacant? The then chairman, Nand Lal Sharma, died in office on 23 July 2026.
- What does HERC do? It fixes electricity tariffs, improves supply quality, protects consumer rights and promotes renewable energy in Haryana.
Related coverage
- Arun Kumar Gupta Appointed HERC Chairman (7 November 2026)
- Haryana Govt Blocks Private Power Licence in Gurugram and Nuh to Protect Consumers
Sources: Government of Haryana, DIPR press release (No. IPRDH/2026) via Chandigarh City News; Haryana Standard.
Next Action: Read the appointment report
Photo: Raj mani9, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
