New Delhi: The Government of India has empanelled five Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from various cadres and batches for appointment to Joint Secretary or equivalent level posts at the Centre.
The officers empanelled are:
- Niranjan Kumar (IAS: 2007: West Bengal)
- Nidhi Kesarwani (IAS: 2004: Manipur)
- Asvini Kumar Yadav (IAS: 2001: West Bengal)
- Idzes Angmo Kundan (IAS: 1996: Maharashtra)
- Amod Kumar (IAS: 1995: Uttar Pradesh)
This empanelment clears the way for their appointment to key policy-making roles across various ministries and departments, depending on availability and suitability of positions.
About Niranjan Kumar
An accomplished scholar, Mr Kumar holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History, both with First Division from L.N.M. University, Darbhanga. His academic grounding has underpinned a career characterized by intellectual depth and practical administrative effectiveness.
Mr Kumar began his career as Assistant Magistrate in Jalpaiguri, and subsequently held several key field positions including Sub-Divisional Officer in Khatra, Additional District Magistrate, and District Officer in Murshidabad. His early years in land reforms and district administration laid a firm foundation for his later roles in urban development and cooperative governance.
His leadership in urban infrastructure and planning has been particularly noteworthy. He served as Special Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and played a vital role in the Kolkata Environmental Improvement Project (KEIP). His focus on inclusive, sustainable urban development has been a recurring theme in his career.
Currently, Mr Kumar serves as Registrar (Joint Secretary level) in the Department of Cooperative Societies, West Bengal, further demonstrating his capability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder governance challenges with strategic foresight.
About Nidhi Kesarwani
An alumna of IIT Delhi, Ms Kesarwani holds an M.Tech. in Industrial Engineering, along with a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Jabalpur – both with First Division. Her technical background has played a critical role in her systematic and analytical approach to public administration.
Over the past two decades, she has served in a variety of roles spanning healthcare, rural development, drinking water, and district administration. Since 2021, she has been on central deputation as Deputy Director (Director level) in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, where she has contributed significantly to health policy formulation and implementation.
In Manipur, she served as Commissioner-cum-Secretary in both the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department and the Public Health Engineering Department, leading crucial initiatives in rural infrastructure and essential service delivery. Her six-year inter-cadre deputation to Uttar Pradesh saw her excel in field-level leadership roles, including as Collector and District Magistrate, where she managed complex governance challenges in populous districts.
Ms Kesarwani began her administrative journey as Sub-Divisional Officer in Ukhrul, followed by a tenure as Deputy Commissioner in Senapati, showcasing her dedication to remote and underserved communities.
About Asvini Kumar Yadav
A medical doctor by training, Shri Yadav holds an M.B.B.S. degree in Medicine and a postgraduate qualification in Radiology, both with First Division. His academic journey, rooted in science and service, has informed his nuanced and empathetic approach to public administration.
Mr Yadav began his civil service career with grassroots roles in Kalimpong and Cooch Behar, before advancing through critical posts including Sub-Divisional Officer, Additional District Magistrate, and District Magistrate of Hooghly. These assignments provided him with deep insight into district-level governance and land revenue systems.
Since 2015, he has been serving as Commissioner (Joint Secretary level) in the Departments of Backward Classes Welfare and Tribal Development, Government of West Bengal. In this role, he has played a pivotal part in shaping and implementing policies aimed at social justice, empowerment, and inclusive development for marginalized communities.
Mr Yadav has also contributed significantly in other key sectors including industries, sericulture, textiles, and cooperative societies, demonstrating his multi-sectoral leadership and policy adaptability.
About Idzes Angmo Kundan
A highly qualified officer, Ms. Kundan holds postgraduate and M.Phil. degrees in International Politics, both with First Class honors. Her academic depth complements her extensive administrative experience, which spans over two decades.
Throughout her career, Ms Kundan has held several pivotal positions in the Maharashtra cadre. She has served as Principal Secretary, Minority Affairs and Wakf Board, Secretary, Child Development and Women Empowerment, and Additional Commissioner, Municipal Administration in Mumbai. She has also played key roles in public health administration, disaster management, and urban development, bringing efficiency and empathy to each assignment.
Her tenure as District Collector of Mumbai City, one of India’s most complex urban districts, is especially notable, reflecting her capacity to manage high-pressure governance environments. She has also served in rural administration as CEO of Zila Parishads in Gadchiroli and Raigad, and in urban leadership roles as Municipal Commissioner of Amravati and Additional Commissioner of Nagpur.
About Amod Kumar
A distinguished officer, Mr Kumar holds B.Tech and M.Tech degrees in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur, and his educational achievements include a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies from IDEAS, JETRO (Japan), a Master of Population Studies from IIPS, Mumbai, an M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School, and a Ph.D. in Economics from IIM Lucknow. His rare combination of technical expertise and policy insight reflects a career devoted to thoughtful, evidence-based governance.
Currently serving as Deputy Director General (Joint Secretary equivalent) at UIDAI, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Kumar has been instrumental in shaping digital identity and governance policies. His earlier assignments include serving as Principal Secretary, Planning and General Administration in Uttar Pradesh, Secretary to the Chief Minister, Member (Judicial) at the Board of Revenue, and District Magistrate of Sitapur and Faizabad.
He has also led departments in health, revenue, IT, excise, and judicial administration, consistently entrusted with high-responsibility roles requiring reform-oriented leadership. His service reflects a deep commitment to innovation, transparency, and citizen-centric governance.
