Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Nidhi Tewari has been appointed as the Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement was made following the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, as per a memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on March 29. Her appointment takes effect immediately.
Nidhi Tewari, a 2014 batch IFS officer, has held various key positions in the government over the past decade. Before this appointment, she served as a Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) since January 6, 2023. Before that, she was an Under Secretary in the PMO from 2022, marking over three years of service in the office.
During her tenure in the PMO, Tewari played a significant role in the ‘Foreign and Security’ vertical, working closely with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. She was responsible for overseeing crucial portfolios, including External Affairs, Atomic Energy, and Security Affairs. Additionally, she handled state-related matters for Rajasthan.
Before joining the PMO, Tewari was associated with the Ministry of External Affairs, where she served in the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division. Her experience in international diplomacy and security affairs contributed to her growing prominence in the administrative framework.
Nidhi Tewari secured the 96th rank in the Civil Services Examination in 2013, leading to her induction into the Indian Foreign Service. Her academic and professional excellence was recognized when she was honored with the Ambassador Bimal Sanyal Memorial Medal for being the Best Officer Trainee and also received the Medal for Best Dissertation in 2016.
Before clearing the Civil Services Examination, she worked as an Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax) in Varanasi. Her journey from Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Modi, to a senior role in the PMO highlights her dedication and expertise in public administration.
As the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Tewari will play a pivotal role in assisting PM Modi in his official engagements, policy coordination, and administrative affairs. She joins the ranks of distinguished officers who have held this esteemed position, including Vivek Kumar and Hardik Satishchandra Shah.
Given her extensive experience in diplomacy and security affairs, Tewari is expected to contribute significantly to key policy areas, strengthening the efficiency of the Prime Minister’s Office. Her appointment underscores the government’s emphasis on bringing experienced and capable officers into critical administrative roles.