Senior IPS officer Harinath Mishra, a 1990-batch Kerala cadre officer, has been appointed as the Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. He will succeed Swagat Das, a 1987-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IPS officer, who is set to retire on November 30, 2024.
A resident of Bhikhanpur in Bhagalpur, Bihar, Mr Mishra will now be responsible for the security of the Prime Minister and his family. The announcement was made through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Mr Mishra, currently serving as Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), will take over his new role on December 1, 2024. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his posting to lead the position held by Das, who will superannuate at the end of November.
A decorated officer, Mishra is a two-time recipient of the President’s Award for his outstanding service. In recognition of his exceptional work, he was also presented with the Home Minister’s Efficiency Award on October 31 this year. He brings a wealth of experience to the new role. He has previously worked in the Bihar State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) for around two and a half years and also served as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Patna.
As Secretary (Security), Mishra will be the administrative head of the Special Protection Group (SPG), which provides round-the-clock security to the Prime Minister and his family. This includes ensuring the safety and protection of the Prime Minister’s official residence, a critical responsibility that Mishra will now oversee. The SPG also extends its services to former prime ministers and their immediate families for a period of five years after the leader demits office, provided they reside in an allocated government residence.
