New Delhi: Almost a year after Dr. Rajiv Mani was given additional charge as Law Secretary, the Department of Legal Affairs is yet to get a full-time Secretary. The ad-hoc arrangement has continued since November 2025, when Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, the first woman Secretary of Legal Affairs, was appointed Member-Secretary of the 23rd Law Commission.
Dr. Rajiv Mani, who serves as Secretary of the Legislative Department, has continued to hold the Law Secretary portfolio under additional charge. The anniversary of his interim appointment falls on November 20, 2026.
This is the second time Dr. Mani has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Law Secretary. A full-fledged appointment is now expected in the upcoming round of Secretary-level appointments.
Dr. Rajiv Mani Holds Additional Charge of Law Secretary
Dr. Rajiv Mani is a senior Indian Legal Service (ILS) officer serving as Secretary of the Legislative Department and holding additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
He was appointed Secretary of the Legislative Department in February 2024 for an initial two-year term. In this role, he oversees the drafting of central legislation and the legislative work of the Union government.
Following Dr. Anju Rathi Rana’s appointment as Member-Secretary of the 23rd Law Commission in November 2025, Mani was assigned additional charge of the Department of Legal Affairs. The arrangement has continued since then, with him managing responsibilities in both departments.
Second Time Dr. Mani Has Held Additional Charge
This is the second occasion on which Dr. Rajiv Mani has been assigned the Law Secretary portfolio on an ad-hoc basis.
Earlier, on February 5, 2024, he was given additional charge of the post after Dr. Niten Chandra (IAS: 1990: OR) was appointed Secretary of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.
The latest arrangement began in November 2025 following Dr. Anju Rathi Rana’s appointment to the 23rd Law Commission. Since then, Mani has continued to manage the additional responsibility alongside his regular assignment as Legislative Department Secretary.
Dr. Rajiv Mani’s Career in the Indian Legal Service
Dr. Mani has held several senior positions in the Ministry of Law and Justice during his career. Before becoming Secretary of the Legislative Department, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs from February 2022 to his promotion in February 2024.
Earlier, he worked as Joint Secretary and Legal Adviser from June 2017 to February 2022, providing legal advice to the Union government. During this period, he was also appointed an ex-officio member of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
His progression through these positions has given him experience in legislative drafting, government legal advisory work and institutional administration.
Heads India International Arbitration Centre
Apart from his responsibilities in the Law Ministry, Dr. Mani also serves as Chairperson of the India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC), an institution established to strengthen India’s position as a centre for domestic and international arbitration.
He has also been associated with initiatives involving Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), legal technology and international legal cooperation.
His engagements have included bilateral discussions with Singapore on the use of Artificial Intelligence in legal frameworks and digital cross-border dispute resolution.
Role in BRICS Legal Cooperation and Major Legislative Initiatives
Dr. Mani has represented India in international legal cooperation initiatives, including meetings involving BRICS member countries. During India’s chairship, he chaired meetings such as the BRICS Justice Senior Officials’ Meeting, which focused on strengthening cooperation in arbitration, mediation and capacity building.
He has also represented the Ministry of Law and Justice in discussions on major legislative developments, including the implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and the safeguards provided under the law.
Full-Time Law Secretary Appointment Awaited
With Dr. Mani continuing to hold additional charge of the Department of Legal Affairs, the appointment of a full-time Law Secretary remains awaited.
The upcoming round of Secretary-level appointments is expected to bring clarity on the position and end the interim arrangement that has continued since November 2025.
