New Delhi: The Central Government has approved two significant appointments of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers under the Central Staffing Scheme. Prashanth Kumar CH (IAS:2015:Bihar) has been appointed as Private Secretary to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav, while Vivek Bhatia (IAS:2011:Himachal Pradesh) has been appointed as Director in the Department of Youth Affairs.
The appointments were cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and notified by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Prashanth Kumar CH Appointed Private Secretary to Bhupendra Yadav
According to the DoPT order issued on July 23, 2026, Prashanth Kumar CH has been appointed as Private Secretary to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav at the Deputy Secretary level.
His appointment will be for a period of five years from the date of assuming charge, or on a co-terminus basis with the Minister, or until he ceases to function as Private Secretary or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
He will serve in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
About Prashanth Kumar CH
A 2015-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, Prashanth Kumar CH was born on July 21, 1985. He holds an MBAdegree and has served in several important administrative assignments in Bihar.
His previous positions include:
- Project Director, Bihar Education Project Council
- Additional Chief Electoral Officer
- Chief General Manager
- Director
- Collector & District Magistrate
- Assistant Secretary
He took charge as Project Director, Bihar Education Project Council on June 22, 2026, before being selected for the central assignment.
Vivek Bhatia Appointed Director in Department of Youth Affairs
In a separate order, the Competent Authority approved the appointment of Vivek Bhatia (IAS:2011:Himachal Pradesh) as Director in the Department of Youth Affairs, Delhi, under the Central Staffing Scheme.
His appointment has been made for five years from the date of assuming charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The DoPT has directed the Himachal Pradesh Government to relieve him immediately so that he can take up his new assignment at the Centre.
About Vivek Bhatia
Born on October 29, 1985, Vivek Bhatia is a 2011-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre.
He holds a B.Tech in Electronics from the National Institute of Technology (NIT).
At present, he is serving as:
- Principal Private Secretary-cum-Special Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Himachal Pradesh
He assumed this position on October 9, 2024.
Over the course of his career, he has held several important administrative assignments, including:
- Deputy Commissioner
- Director
- Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO)
- Assistant Commissioner
Strengthening the Central Administration
The appointments of Prashanth Kumar CH and Vivek Bhatia are part of the Centre’s ongoing efforts to induct experienced officers from different state cadres into key policy and administrative roles under the Central Staffing Scheme.
While Prashanth Kumar CH will assist the Union Environment Minister in policy coordination and ministerial functions, Vivek Bhatia will contribute to policymaking and programme implementation in the Department of Youth Affairs.
