Four names have been shortlisted to succeed Ajit Seth in December as Cabinet Secretary. The four names who are shortlisted for next cabinet secretary are:
- Alok Rawat (1977 batch, Sikkim cadre)
- Saurabh Chandra (1978 batch, UP cadre)
- Rajiv Mehrishi (1978 batch, Rajasthan cadre)
- P K Sinha (1977 batch, UP cadre)
Barring Rajiv Mehrishi all are serving in the Government of India.