Lucknow, Aug. 2 -- Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Shashi Prakash Goyal is set to have a prolonged stint at the top of the state bureaucracy as his retirement is due about 18 months from now at the end of January 2027.

His likely long tenure will give him sufficient time to push chief minister Yogi Adityanath's governance agenda in the run-up to the assembly polls.

With the next assembly elections expected in early 2027, there is a buzz in the corridors of power that Goyal may be given at least a three-month extension to ensure administrative continuity during the poll period.

Seen as a trusted officer of both the state and central governments, Goyal is expected to play a key role in steering the administration during the...