New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has cleared a series of high-level appointments and reassignments across key ministries and departments of the Government of India. The reshuffle involves several IAS officers, many of whom have been appointed to Secretary-level positions in various ministries.
Key Appointments:
- Ms. Meeta R. Lochan (IAS: MH-1990) has been appointed Secretary, National Commission for Backward Classes, replacing Ms. A. Neeraja (IFoS: UP-1990) post her superannuation on May 31, 2025.
- K. Moses Chalai (IAS: MN-1990) will now serve as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.
- Manoj Govil (IAS: MP-1991) becomes Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat, replacing Ms. Vandana Gurnani (IAS: KN-1991), who is now Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment.
- Rajit Punhani (IAS: BH-1991) has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, succeeding Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari (IAS: KN-1990).
- Ashish Srivastava (IAS: MP-1992) has been promoted as Secretary, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Vumlunmang Vualnam (IAS: MN-1992) will now serve as Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
- Nikunja Bihari Dhal (IAS: OR-1993) has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
- Ms Pallavi Jain Govil (IAS: MP-1994) will take over as Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, after Ms Meeta Lochan’s move to the NCBC.
- Ms. Nidhi Chhibber (IAS: CG-1994) has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
- Arvind Shrivastava (IAS: KN-1994) becomes Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
- Vivek Aggarwal (IAS: MP-1994) will now lead as Secretary, Ministry of Culture.
- Santosh Kumar Sarangi (IAS: OR-1994) has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- Rajesh Agarwal (IAS: MN-1994) will take over as Secretary, Department of Commerce, after Shri Sunil Barthwal’s retirement.
- Ms. Anuradha Thakur (IAS: HP-1994) has been designated as OSD, Department of Economic Affairs, to later succeed Shri Ajay Seth (IAS: KN-1987).
- Rakesh Kumar Verma (IAS: PB-1993) has been named Director General, India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management.
- Hari Ranjan Rao (IAS: MP-1994) will serve as Secretary, Department of Sports, replacing Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi (IAS: BH-1989) upon her superannuation.
In-situ Upgradations and Extensions:
- Rajesh Kumar Sinha (IAS: KL-1994) and Ms. Ranjana Chopra (IAS: OR-1994) have been upgraded to Special Secretary rank in their respective ministries.
- The tenure of Bharat Lal (IFoS: GJ-1988, Retd.) as Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission, has been extended for one year beyond June 30, 2025.
This large-scale reshuffle is seen as a strategic move to place experienced officers in key roles as the government continues its administrative and development agenda across sectors.
