The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced several high-profile bureaucratic appointments and extensions, impacting states and central departments.
In Goa, Dr. V Candavelou (IAS: 1997: AGMUT) has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary, succeeding Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel (IAS: 1991: AGMUT), who recently moved to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. Dr. Candavelou, currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and overseeing key departments such as finance, mines, and planning, becomes the first IAS officer from the 1997 batch to achieve the rank of Chief Secretary.
In Mizoram, H Lalengmawia (IAS: 2005: AGMUT) has been temporarily assigned Chief Secretary duties following the retirement of Dr. Renu Sharma (IAS: 1988: AGMUT). Lalengmawia’s interim appointment is seen as a consensus choice among local stakeholders. K R Meena (IAS: 1993: UT), currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, is expected to be appointed as the permanent Chief Secretary of Mizoram soon.
The state of Haryana has also appointed a new Chief Secretary, Vivek Joshi (IAS: 1989 batch), five days after his repatriation from the Centre. Joshi, formerly Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training, succeeds TVSN Prasad (IAS: 1988: HY), who retired on October 31. Until Joshi assumes his new role, Anurag Rastogi (IAS: 1990: HY) will serve as Acting Chief Secretary.
Meanwhile, in election-bound Jharkhand, Alka Tiwari (IAS: 1988: JH) has been appointed Chief Secretary, effective November 1. Tiwari, who recently returned from her role as Secretary at the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, succeeds L Khiangte (IAS: 1988: JH), who retired on October 31. She is expected to remain in the role until her superannuation in September 2025.
Vikas Singh (IRS IT: 2007) was appointed as Director in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for a five-year tenure.
Arun Sinha (IPS: 1984: KL), currently heading the National Technical Reconnaissance Organisation (NTRO), received an extension until December 31, 2024.
These appointments reflect the government’s continued focus on strategic placements across the state and central roles, particularly in states heading towards elections and critical departments within the central administration.