New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a series of bureaucratic decisions involving the extension of central deputation tenure of a senior IAS officer and the appointment of officers to key positions under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The decisions cover the Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. The officers involved include Muthukrishnan Sankaranarayanan, IAS (Maharashtra cadre, 2003 batch); Sarah Mujeeb, Indian Economic Service (IES), 2010 batch; Akshay Gopal, Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), 2016 batch; Sonal Swaroop, IAS (AGMUT cadre, 2012 batch); and Pooja Bhat, Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), 2012 batch.
While Sankaranarayanan has been granted an extension in his existing central deputation assignment, the other decisions concern appointments or recommendations for appointments to director- and deputy secretary-level positions in various central government departments.
IAS Muthukrishnan Sankaranarayanan Gets One-Year Tenure Extension
The ACC has approved the proposal of the Department of Atomic Energy to extend the central deputation tenure of Muthukrishnan Sankaranarayanan, a 2003-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre.
Sankaranarayanan is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Department of Atomic Energy. Under the approved decision, his tenure has been extended for one year beyond October 24, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The extension will allow him to continue in his existing assignment beyond the previously scheduled end of his tenure. The decision was taken on the proposal submitted by the Department of Atomic Energy and approved by the ACC.
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Sarah Mujeeb Recommended for Director’s Post in Department of Public Enterprises
Sarah Mujeeb, a 2010-batch officer of the Indian Economic Service, has been recommended for appointment as Director in the Department of Public Enterprises in Delhi under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The Department of Economic Affairs recommended her for the position. The proposed tenure is five years from the date she assumes charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The Department of Public Enterprises functions under the Ministry of Finance and deals with policy matters relating to central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), including their performance, governance and administrative oversight.
The recommendation places Mujeeb in line for a director-level assignment in a department that plays an important role in the government’s policy framework for public sector enterprises. Her tenure, as specified in the recommendation, will be governed by the applicable Central Staffing Scheme provisions and the final appointment arrangements.
Akshay Gopal Appointed Deputy Secretary in Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry
Akshay Gopal, a 2016-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas under the Central Staffing Scheme.
His tenure will be four years from the date he assumes charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is responsible for policy formulation and administration relating to the petroleum and natural gas sector, including oil and gas exploration, production, refining, distribution and related energy matters.
Gopal’s appointment will bring him into the ministry’s central administrative structure at the Deputy Secretary level. His tenure will be governed by the terms specified in the appointment order.
Sonal Swaroop Appointed Director in Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
Sonal Swaroop, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed as Director in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Delhi under the Central Staffing Scheme.
According to the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on October 14, 2026, the ACC approved her appointment for five years from the date she assumes charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The Ministry of Home Affairs recommended her for central deputation.
Swaroop is currently serving as Director of Census Operations and Director of Citizen Registration for Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. She has held this assignment since April/May 2026, following her appointment for a tenure of three years.
Her new assignment will place her in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, which functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The department is responsible for policy and programme implementation relating to drinking water and sanitation, including rural drinking water supply and sanitation initiatives.
Her appointment represents a move from census operations and citizen registration responsibilities to a central department focused on drinking water and sanitation policy and programme administration.
Pooja Bhat Appointed Director in Drinking Water and Sanitation Department
Pooja Bhat, a 2012-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service, has also been appointed as Director in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Delhi under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The Ministry of Defence recommended Bhat for central deputation. Her appointment has been approved for five years from the date she assumes charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The appointment order directs that she be relieved of her current duties immediately, with instructions to take up her new assignment in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Bhat’s appointment alongside Swaroop means that two officers from different services will take up director-level responsibilities in the same department. Both appointments are subject to the five-year tenure provision specified in their respective orders.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation plays a central role in implementing the government’s drinking water and sanitation programmes. Its responsibilities include supporting access to safe drinking water, strengthening rural water supply systems and advancing sanitation coverage.
What the Latest Decisions Mean for Central Staffing
The latest ACC decisions cover different aspects of central government personnel administration: the continuation of an experienced IAS officer in an existing assignment, the recommendation of an IES officer for a director-level position, and appointments of IA&AS, IAS and IDAS officers to central departments.
The Central Staffing Scheme facilitates the appointment of eligible officers from All India Services and participating organised Group A services to positions in the Central Government. Such assignments enable officers to gain experience in national-level policy formulation, programme implementation and interdepartmental coordination.
The appointments of Swaroop and Bhat will add two directors to the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, while Gopal will take up a Deputy Secretary-level role in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Mujeeb has been recommended for a director-level assignment in the Department of Public Enterprises.
Meanwhile, Sankaranarayanan’s tenure extension will ensure continuity in his existing responsibilities at the Department of Atomic Energy beyond October 24, 2026, subject to the terms of the approval.
Together, these decisions reflect the Centre’s continuing process of filling senior administrative positions and managing deputation tenures across ministries and departments.
