In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved two important appointments at the senior bureaucratic level. IAS officer Tarun Kumar Pithode has been appointed as Member Secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), while Raj Kumar Arora (IDAS:1990) has been appointed Financial Adviser (Defence Services) in the Ministry of Defence.
Tarun Kumar Pithode to Lead CAQM for Five Years
According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on October 13, 2025, the ACC approved the appointment of Tarun Kumar Pithode (IAS:2009:MP) as Member Secretary, CAQM. He will serve a five-year tenure until September 8, 2029, or until further orders.
Currently Joint Secretary in MoEF&CC, Pithode joined the ministry in September 2024 as Director. He was empanelled as Joint Secretary in September 2025, reflecting his expertise and leadership skills in environmental governance. His new role as Member Secretary will involve spearheading efforts to control air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
Profile: Tarun Kumar Pithode
- Batch & Cadre: IAS 2009, Madhya Pradesh cadre
- Current Role: Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
- Previous Roles: Director, MoEF&CC; Various district and state administrative positions in MP
- Expertise: Environmental policy, governance, climate change, sustainable development
- Notable Contributions: Played key roles in implementing environmental regulations and promoting climate action initiatives within the ministry.
Raj Kumar Arora Appointed Financial Adviser (Defence Services)
The ACC has also appointed Raj Kumar Arora (IDAS:1990) as Financial Adviser (Defence Services) in the Ministry of Defence, effective on or after November 1, 2025. Arora currently serves as Special Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) and brings extensive experience in defence finance and administration.
Profile: Raj Kumar Arora
- Batch & Service: IDAS 1990 (Indian Defence Accounts Service)
- Current Role: Special CGDA, Ministry of Defence
- Previous Roles: Various senior posts in defence finance, budgeting, and expenditure management
- Expertise: Defence financial management, procurement budgeting, audit, and compliance
- Notable Contributions: Oversaw key defence financial reforms and enhanced transparency in budgetary processes.
Strategic Roles in Critical Ministries
Both appointments strengthen leadership in ministries central to India’s national priorities—environmental sustainability and defence preparedness. The CAQM plays a vital role in air pollution control in Delhi-NCR, coordinating multi-agency efforts. The Financial Adviser (Defence Services) ensures prudent fiscal management for the Ministry of Defence during modernization and procurement phases.
