In a significant high-level administrative reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on May 6, 2026 approved the appointment of five senior officers to key positions across major central government institutions and ministries, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), UIDAI, MeitY, NIC, and the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The reshuffle, primarily at the Additional Secretary level, reflects the Centre’s continued focus on strengthening governance, digital infrastructure, disaster management, and public service delivery through experienced administrative leadership.
Manish Bhardwaj Appointed Adviser in Inter-State Council Secretariat
IAS officer Manish Bhardwaj (1997 batch, Gujarat cadre), currently serving as Secretary in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has been appointed as Adviser in the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Bhardwaj brings extensive administrative experience and has played a key role in disaster management and policy coordination at the national level.
Saurabh Vijay Named CEO of UIDAI
IAS officer Saurabh Vijay (1998 batch, Maharashtra cadre) has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Currently serving in the Maharashtra government, Vijay is expected to lead the Aadhaar ecosystem and strengthen digital identity infrastructure across the country.
Nilkanth S Avhad Takes Over as NDMA Secretary
IAS officer Nilkanth S Avhad (1999 batch, Punjab cadre) has been appointed as Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), succeeding Manish Bhardwaj.
Avhad is presently serving in the Punjab government and is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening India’s disaster preparedness and response systems.
Priyank Bharti Gets Dual Role in MeitY and NIC
IAS officer Priyank Bharti (2001 batch, Punjab cadre) has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
In addition, he has also been given the additional charge of Director General of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), one of the country’s key digital governance institutions.
Bharti is currently serving in the Punjab cadre and is expected to contribute significantly to India’s digital transformation and e-governance initiatives.
Richa Misra Appointed Additional Secretary in Consumer Affairs
Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer Richa Misra (1996 batch) has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
She is currently serving in her cadre and brings extensive experience in finance, administration, and public policy.
Focus on Experienced Officers from State Cadres
A key highlight of the reshuffle is the Centre’s reliance on officers currently serving in state cadres. Out of the five appointments, four officers are presently serving in state governments, underlining the importance of field-level administrative experience in central policymaking roles.
Punjab cadre officers feature prominently in the latest reshuffle, with both Nilkanth S Avhad and Priyank Bharti being assigned strategic national responsibilities.
Key Institutions Strengthened
The reshuffle impacts several important institutions and ministries, including:
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- National Informatics Centre (NIC)
- Department of Consumer Affairs
The appointments are expected to improve institutional coordination, accelerate policy implementation, and strengthen governance across critical sectors such as digital infrastructure, disaster management, and consumer services.
Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter, Instagram.
"Exciting news! Elets technomedia is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest insights!" Click here!
