In a significant administrative overhaul, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Friday approved a large-scale reshuffle involving more than a dozen Secretary-rank IAS officers across various ministries and departments. The move, which also includes appointments of several Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) set to assume charge after the retirement of incumbents, is aimed at infusing fresh leadership into critical sectors of governance.
Key Appointments Announced:
Alka Upadhyaya (IAS: 1990: MP), Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, has been appointed as Secretary, National Commission for Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Rajit Punhani (IAS: 1991: BH), Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, will take over as CEO, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), replacing Ganji Kamala V Rao (Retd IAS: 1990: KL).
Debashree Mukherjee (IAS: 1991: AGMUT) moves to Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, from her earlier role in the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
Vijay Kumar (IAS: 1992: AGMUT), Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, has been appointed as OSD, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. He will succeed T. K. Ramachandran (IAS: 1991: TN) after his retirement on September 30, 2025.
V. L. Kantha Rao (IAS: 1992: MP) has been transferred to the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, replacing Debashree Mukherjee.
Sukriti Likhi (IAS: 1993: HY) is the new OSD in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, succeeding Niten Chandra (IAS: 1990: OR) after his retirement on October 31, 2025.
Ranjana Chopra (IAS: 1994: OR) has been appointed OSD, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and will replace Vibhu Nayar (IAS: 1990: TN) on October 31, 2025.
Naresh Pal Gangwar (IAS: 1994: RJ) takes charge as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, replacing Alka Upadhyaya.
Niraj Verma (IAS: 1994: AM) becomes OSD, Department of Justice, succeeding Raj Kumar Goyal (IAS: 1990: AGMUT) on August 31, 2025.
Atish Chandra (IAS: 1994: BH) has been elevated as Special Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
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Piyush Goyal (IAS: 1994: NL) has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Mines, replacing V. L. Kantha Rao.
Sanjay Garg (IAS: 1994: KL) becomes OSD, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), succeeding Pramod Kumar Tiwari (IAS: 1991: AM) on October 31, 2025.
Roli Singh (IAS: 1994: RJ) has been appointed Chairperson, National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention, replacing Sukriti Likhi.
Trishaljit Sethi (IPoS: 1990) has been appointed Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
This wide-ranging reshuffle reflects the Centre’s strategy to streamline leadership transitions while strengthening governance through experienced bureaucrats in pivotal roles.