New Delhi: In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Government of India has appointed Avinash Purushottam Das Joshi (IAS:1994:AM) as the new Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Joshi, who was serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), officially assumes charge of his new role today.
The appointment brings an end to the over month-long vacancy in the MoFPI’s top post, which fell vacant after Subrat Gupta (IAS:1990:WB) retired on 31 May 2025. Since then, the ministry was under the additional charge of Sanjeev Chopra (IAS:1990:OR), Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution.
Brief Gap in Appointment Filled After Recall of Earlier Order
Earlier, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) had appointed Nidhi Chhibber (IAS:1994:CG) as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in MoFPI to take over as Secretary. However, the order was subsequently rescinded, and she was reassigned as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
With Joshi’s elevation, the post of Additional Secretary in the DoPT – a key position in personnel management and central staffing – now falls vacant.
Experienced Administrator Takes Charge
Avinash Joshi is a seasoned IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Known for his administrative acumen, he has held key positions at both the state and central levels. His appointment to MoFPI comes at a time when the government is emphasizing agri-processing, food innovation, and value-added exports to boost farmers’ incomes and reduce post-harvest losses.
