New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of central deputation tenures for two senior officers currently serving in key policy and administrative positions.
The decision, announced via two separate orders by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Wednesday, pertains to Hemant Kumar Meena and Vinamra Mishra.
Hemant Kumar Meena to Continue as Director, NITI Aayog Until August 2026
The central deputation tenure of Hemant Kumar Meena, a 2011-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the Maharashtra cadre, has been extended for another year in the NITI Aayog. Meena, who currently serves as Director, will continue in the role until August 4, 2026.
This marks his second consecutive extension on central deputation. He was first appointed as Deputy Secretary in the NITI Aayog in March 2021, with a tenure originally ending on August 4, 2024. On October 15, 2024, he was granted a retrospective one-year extension (until August 4, 2025). Following 14 years of service, he was re-designated as Director in January 2025. The latest extension ensures continued leadership continuity in a key policy institution of the central government.
Vinamra Mishra Gets Two-Year Extension in Ministry of MSME
In another key decision, the tenure of Vinamra Mishra, an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME:2003), has been extended by two years in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
Mishra has been serving as Director in the Ministry of MSME since August 12, 2020, under a five-year deputation tenure. With this extension, he will continue in his role until August 12, 2027. The Ministry had proposed the extension to ensure continuity in its initiatives, which was subsequently approved by the ACC.
Continuity in Key Policy Roles
Both officers hold critical roles in their respective ministries. The NITI Aayog plays a central role in India’s policy-making and strategic planning, while the Ministry of MSME is a vital pillar supporting India’s economic growth, particularly in promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.
The extensions are seen as part of the government’s strategy to retain experienced officers in pivotal policy positions, thereby ensuring institutional stability and execution of long-term programs.
