New Delhi: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointments of two Karnataka cadre IAS officers – Anirudh Sravan Pulipaka (IAS:2011:KN) and Chandrashekhar Nayaka L (IAS:2013:KN) – as Private Secretaries (PS) to Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs, respectively.
The orders were issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on February 10, 2025.
Anirudh Sravan Pulipaka Appointed PS to FM in Ministry of Finance
Tenure Approved Till September 2028 at Director Level
Mr Pulipaka has been appointed as Private Secretary to Nirmala Sitharaman in the Ministry of Finance at the Director level, effective from the date he assumes charge.
His tenure will continue until September 29, 2028, which is:
- The balance period of his five-year tenure as Private Secretary,
- Or on a coterminous basis with the Minister,
- Or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Tenure Curtailed in Corporate Affairs Ministry
Mr Pulipaka’s earlier tenure as Private Secretary to the Minister in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has been curtailed to facilitate his appointment in the Finance Ministry.
He has been serving as Private Secretary to Nirmala Sitharaman since September 29, 2023, and was reappointed on June 26, 2024, following the 2024 General Election.
Profile: Anirudh Sravan Pulipaka
- Batch & Cadre: IAS 2011, Karnataka Cadre
- Date of Birth: September 25, 1985
- Origin: Andhra Pradesh
- Education: Completed schooling and higher education in Andhra Pradesh
- Central Deputation: Approved by ACC in August 2023 for five years
Key Career Highlights
- Served in multiple administrative roles in Karnataka
- Former Deputy Commissioner of Gulbarga (Kalaburagi)
- Known for administrative efficiency and policy coordination
- Plays a key role in ministerial support and inter-departmental coordination
Chandrashekhar Nayaka L Appointed PS in Corporate Affairs Ministry
Appointment at Deputy Secretary Level Till August 2030
In a parallel move, Mr Nayaka (IAS:2013:KN) has been appointed as Private Secretary to Nirmala Sitharaman in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs at the Deputy Secretary level.
His tenure will run until August 3, 2030, which is:
- The balance of his five-year tenure as Private Secretary/OSD,
- Or on a coterminous basis with the Minister,
- Or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Tenure as OSD in Finance Ministry Curtailed
Mr Nayaka’s tenure as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Minister in the Ministry of Finance has been curtailed following his new appointment in MCA.
He had been serving as OSD since August 3, 2025.
Profile: Chandrashekhar Nayaka L
- Batch & Cadre: IAS 2013, Karnataka Cadre
- Date of Birth: August 4, 1988
- Native Place: Bengaluru, Karnataka
- UPSC Rank: AIR 470 (CSE 2012)
- Education: B.Tech (Engineering) – Mangalore University
- Languages: English, Kannada
Key Career Highlights
- Additional Commissioner (Commercial Taxes – Enforcement), Bengaluru
- Deputy Commissioner, Raichur (2022) – focused on civic infrastructure and water supply
- Joint Secretary, Finance Department, Karnataka
- CEO, Uttara Kannada Zilla Panchayat (Karwar)
- Assistant Commissioner, Vijayapura
He was inspired to join the civil services during high school after learning about the societal impact of district administrators.
Strategic Ministerial Realignment
The reshuffle ensures continued administrative coordination between the Finance Ministry and Corporate Affairs Ministry, both held by Nirmala Sitharaman.
By placing trusted officers in key positions:
- Pulipaka will assist in high-level policy coordination in Finance.
- Nayaka will manage administrative and legislative coordination in MCA.
The move reflects continuity and stability in ministerial staffing ahead of critical fiscal and regulatory developments.
