In a significant administrative reshuffle, senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer R A Chandra Sekhar has been appointed as the Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. The appointment was formalised through an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on June 14, 2025.

Sekhar, a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, is currently serving as the Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau. His extensive experience in national security and intelligence operations has been instrumental in his elevation to this critical role within the Union Government.

According to the official communication, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Sekhar’s appointment with effect from the date he assumes charge on or after August 1, 2025. He will be succeeding Harinath Mishra, who is set to retire by the end of July.

The post of Secretary (Security) holds immense significance within the national security framework. The Secretary (Security) is the administrative head of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG), which is tasked with providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and members of his immediate family who reside with him at his official residence. The role demands acute operational oversight, coordination with multiple security agencies, and strategic leadership.

R A Chandra Sekhar’s appointment comes at a time when the country continues to bolster its internal and external security apparatus. His deep-rooted expertise in intelligence and policing is expected to enhance the operational readiness and policy direction of the SPG and the Cabinet Secretariat’s broader security mandate.

In a parallel development, another senior IPS officer, Sunil Kumar Jha, has been appointed as the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guards. Jha is a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre and is presently serving as Special Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

His appointment, also approved by the ACC, is effective until his superannuation on January 31, 2027. He will be taking over from Vivek Srivastava, who is scheduled to retire on June 30.

These appointments underline the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure experienced and capable leadership across key security-related institutions. The elevation of both Sekhar and Jha is expected to bring continued stability, enhanced coordination, and strategic depth to their respective domains of responsibility.

As the government navigates evolving national and global security challenges, the appointments of these senior officers reaffirm the emphasis on continuity, experience, and operational excellence in India’s security infrastructure.

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