New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a series of important personnel decisions involving senior officers serving in various ministries and departments of the Government of India. The decisions include the appointment of IAS officer Ram Singh as Secretary of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the premature repatriation of Sanjay Chilwarwar to his parent cadre, and extensions in the central deputation tenures of Dipti Mohil Chawla and Mahatme Sandeep Namdeo.
The approvals were communicated through separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on June 1, 2026.
Ram Singh Appointed Secretary, Sports Authority of India
The ACC has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for curtailment of the central deputation tenure of Ram Singh (IAS:2008:AM), currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The decision has been taken to enable him to join the Department of Sports as Secretary of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
According to the DoPT order, Singh will serve in the Sports Authority of India for an overall tenure of five years up to May 24, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Move From Minority Affairs to Sports Administration
Mr Singh has been serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs on central deputation. With the ACC approving the premature curtailment of his existing tenure, he will now take charge of one of India’s most important sports administration bodies.
The Sports Authority of India plays a central role in athlete development, sports infrastructure management, talent identification, training programmes and preparation of Indian athletes for major international competitions including the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
Sanjay Chilwarwar Repatriated to Parent Cadre
In another personnel decision, the Competent Authority approved the proposal of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for the premature repatriation of Sanjay Chilwarwar (IRSSE:1997), who is serving as Joint Secretary in the department.
According to the order, Chilwarwar has been repatriated to his parent cadre on personal grounds.
The approval has been granted with the imposition of an extended cooling-off condition, a requirement that will govern his eligibility for future central deputation assignments.
No further details regarding the duration of the extended cooling-off period were mentioned in the order.
Dipti Mohil Chawla Gets One-Year Extension in Defence Ministry
The ACC has also approved the extension of central deputation tenure of Ms. Dipti Mohil Chawla (IDAS:1995), who is serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Defence under the Ministry of Defence.
According to the order, her tenure has been extended for a period of one year beyond May 6, 2026.
She will now continue in her current position until May 6, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Continuing Key Role in Defence Administration
As Additional Secretary in the Department of Defence, Chawla holds a crucial position in the administrative and financial management framework of the Ministry of Defence. The extension ensures continuity in leadership and ongoing policy implementation within the department.
Mahatme Sandeep Namdeo’s Tenure in MHA Extended by One Year
The ACC has further approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for extension of the central deputation tenure of Mahatme Sandeep Namdeo (IAS:2010:TR), who is serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
His tenure has been extended by one year beyond May 9, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Career Journey on Central Deputation
Namdeo originally joined central deputation on May 9, 2021, as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Health and Family Welfare for a four-year tenure.
During his deputation, he held several important assignments in the Union Government.
In August 2021, he was appointed as Private Secretary to Ashwini Vaishnaw, then Union Minister for Communications. Subsequently, he served as Private Secretary to Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, from August 2024.
He later moved to the Ministry of Home Affairs and has been serving as Joint Secretary since April 13, 2026.
Continuity in Home Ministry
The extension of Namdeo’s tenure comes at a time when the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to oversee a wide range of critical responsibilities relating to internal security, border management, disaster response, Centre-State relations and administrative governance.
His continuation is expected to provide administrative continuity within the ministry.
Series of ACC Decisions Across Ministries
The latest set of ACC approvals reflects continued adjustments in the senior administrative structure of the Central Government. While Ram Singh’s move to the Sports Authority of India brings a senior IAS officer into the country’s sports administration framework, the extensions granted to Dipti Mohil Chawla and Mahatme Sandeep Namdeo ensure continuity in the Defence and Home Ministries respectively.
At the same time, the premature repatriation of Sanjay Chilwarwar marks another important personnel movement within the higher civil services.
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