Rastogi had first been appointed CS on October 31, 2024 on an interim basis when Dr Vivek Joshi (IAS: 1989: HY), then the designated CS, needed time to be repatriated from his Central deputation. That appointment lasted barely a week.

When Joshi was subsequently appointed Election Commissioner in February 2025, the government again turned to Rastogi, this time as full-time CS, once again ignoring the seniority claims of his batchmates Sudhir Rajpal (IAS: 1990: HY) and Sumita Misra (IAS: 1990: HY), both placed above him in the Haryana IAS cadre’s gradation list. Rastogi reached the age of superannuation on 30 June, 2025, and was granted a one-year extension.