New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: The Centre has entrusted Vineet Joshi (IAS:1992:Manipur), Secretary, Department of Higher Education, with the additional charge of Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy following the superannuation of Sanjay Kumar (IAS:1990:Bihar) on June 30, 2026. Meanwhile, the Kerala Government has carried out a key bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing senior IAS officer Minhaj Alam as the new Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Vigilance) after Biswanath Sinha assumed charge as the state’s Chief Secretary.
Vineet Joshi Gets Additional Charge of School Education Department
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has entrusted Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, with the additional charge of Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy.
The arrangement comes into effect following the retirement of Sanjay Kumar (IAS:1990:Bihar) on June 30, 2026.
With this assignment, Joshi will simultaneously oversee both the Higher Education Department and the School Education & Literacy Department until further orders or until a regular appointment is made.
Who is Vineet Joshi?
Mr Joshi is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre and one of the country’s most accomplished education administrators.
Born on November 2, 1968, he possesses an impressive academic background:
- B.Tech. from IIT Kanpur
- MBA from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi
- Ph.D. from IIFT, New Delhi
Currently serving as Secretary, Department of Higher Education, he has held several important assignments in education policy and public administration during his career.
His additional responsibility comes at a crucial time as the Ministry of Education continues implementing reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Sanjay Kumar Retires from Service
The additional charge follows the superannuation of Sanjay Kumar (IAS:1990:Bihar), who retired on June 30, 2026after serving as Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy.
During his tenure, the department oversaw several flagship initiatives relating to school education reforms, digital learning, foundational literacy and implementation of NEP 2020.
Kerala Appoints Minhaj Alam as Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Vigilance)
In a parallel bureaucratic development, the Kerala Government has appointed senior IAS officer Alam (IAS:1996) as the Additional Chief Secretary, Home & Vigilance Department.
The appointment follows the elevation of Biswanath Sinha as Kerala’s new Chief Secretary.
Minhaj Alam Retains Agriculture Portfolio
Despite taking charge of one of Kerala’s most important departments, Minhaj Alam will continue to hold his existing responsibilities.
He will retain the posts of:
- Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department
- Agricultural Production Commissioner
This allows continuity in the state’s agricultural administration while strengthening leadership in the Home Department.
Administrative Reshuffle After New Chief Secretary Takes Charge
The bureaucratic reshuffle became necessary after Biswanath Sinha assumed office as Kerala’s Chief Secretary, creating a vacancy at the top of the Home Department.
The Home Department is among the state’s most significant administrative portfolios, overseeing:
- Law and order
- Police administration
- Internal security
- Vigilance administration
- Disaster response coordination
Anju K.S. Gets New Posting
As part of the reshuffle, Anju K.S. (IAS:2017) has also been transferred.
Previously serving as:
- Staff Officer to the Chief Secretary
She has now been appointed as:
- Director, State Lotteries
Additionally, she has been given full additional charge as:
- Managing Director, Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited (KSBCDC)
The appointments are effective immediately.
Significance of the Appointments
The Centre’s decision to entrust Vineet Joshi with the additional charge ensures administrative continuity in the Ministry of Education following the retirement of Sanjay Kumar.
In Kerala, the appointments are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition following the appointment of a new Chief Secretary, while maintaining continuity in key governance and administrative departments.
