New Delhi: Senior bureaucrat Arvind Shrivastava, a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, officially took charge as the Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, today. His appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on April 18, 2025.
Mr Shrivastava succeeds Manoj Govil, an IAS officer of 1991 batch from MP cadre, who has been moved to the Cabinet Secretariat, marking a significant reshuffle in the top echelons of India’s financial administration.
Extensive Administrative and Fiscal Experience
Prior to this appointment, Shri Shrivastava served as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), following a tenure as Joint Secretary. His earlier role as Joint Secretary in the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, had him closely involved in formulating the Union Budget, managing the central government’s borrowing programme, and overseeing policies on small savings schemes.
He also has notable international experience, having served as a Development Officer at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and held key positions in Karnataka including Secretary, Finance Department, Secretary, Urban Development Department, and Managing Director of the Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation.
Deep Financial Expertise and Policy Leadership
During his time as Secretary to the Government of Karnataka (2012–2017), Shrivastava oversaw budget preparation and resource planning, tax administration, treasury operations, and was instrumental in ensuring compliance with fiscal responsibility targets. He worked closely with tax departments such as Commercial Taxes and Excise, which together contribute the bulk of the state’s revenue. His role also involved regular interactions with State and Central Finance Commissions and legislative committees like the Public Accounts Committee.
Known for his meticulous approach to fiscal discipline and policy formulation, Shrivastava brings over three decades of diverse and high-impact administrative experience, particularly in the financial and economic policy domains.
Academic Credentials
Arvind Shrivastava holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Finance and Economic Policy from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. His blend of technical and economic education underpins his deep understanding of infrastructure and fiscal systems.
A Strategic Appointment
His elevation to the Revenue Secretary’s post comes at a crucial time when the Ministry of Finance is focused on sustaining economic growth, improving tax administration, and enhancing revenue collection while maintaining fiscal prudence. His broad experience in both central and state governments, as well as international finance institutions, makes him well-positioned to lead the Department of Revenue through the next phase of reform and modernization.
