New Delhi: In a key administrative development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Sripriya Ranganathan (IFS:1994) as Secretary (Consular, Passport & Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Ranganathan will assume charge following the superannuation of Arun Kumar Chatterjee (IFS:1992), who has been serving as Secretary (CPV & OIA) since July 2024.
About the Role: Secretary (CPV & OIA)
The Secretary (CPV & OIA) is a crucial secretary-level position in the MEA, responsible for citizen-facing and diaspora-related functions –
Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division: Oversees passport issuance, visa policies, consular assistance, and the protection of Indian nationals abroad, including during emergencies, arrests, deaths, and evacuation operations.
Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA) Division: Focuses on engagement with the Indian diaspora, welfare of NRIs and OCIs, and coordination of policies affecting overseas Indians. It also handles large-scale consular operations during crises involving Indians abroad.
Profile: Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan
- Batch: 1994, Indian Foreign Service
- Current Posting (as of late 2025): Additional Secretary (Administration), MEA, New Delhi
- Educational Background: M.A. in History (Modern Indian History), Delhi University
Ranganathan began her IFS career immediately after completing her Master’s degree in 1994 and has served in a wide range of domestic and international assignments.
Key Domestic and International Postings
- Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi (2025–Present): Additional Secretary (Administration)
- Bangladesh & Myanmar Division, SAARC Division, Policy Planning Division: Headed these key divisions at MEA headquarters
- Embassy of India, Washington D.C. (2022–2025): Deputy Chief of Mission and periodically Chargé d’Affaires; played a key role in strengthening India-US ties, including the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)
- Ambassador to South Korea (2018–2022): Focused on economic partnerships and the Special Strategic Partnership
- Other Overseas Assignments: Myanmar (Second-in-Command), Turkey (Ankara), Hong Kong
- Ministry of Commerce & Industry: Worked on Export Promotion (Agricultural Products) and trade policy
Languages and Interests
Ambassador Ranganathan is fluent in Tamil, Hindi, English, and has working knowledge of Turkish. She is deeply interested in women’s leadership and empowerment, making time for initiatives supporting these causes.
Personal Life
- Spouse: Mukund Santhanam, professional in the financial services sector
- Family: One daughter
Significance of the Appointment
The appointment of Sripriya Ranganathan underscores the government’s focus on experienced leadership in citizen-centric and diaspora affairs. With her extensive international exposure and administrative expertise, she is expected to enhance consular services, strengthen diaspora engagement, and oversee key operations affecting Indian nationals abroad.
