Bharat Khera has taken charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), stepping into a key role at a time when the sector remains central to India’s economic growth and employment generation.
A 1995-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Khera brings more than three decades of experience across both the central and state governments.
Strong Administrative Background
Before this appointment, Khera served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs. He has also held a significant role in the Ministry of Defence as Joint Secretary from 2014 to 2020, where he handled matters related to the Indian Air Force and coordinated Republic Day celebrations for four consecutive years.
During his tenure, he was also associated with the functioning of the Border Roads Organisation and defence cooperation initiatives.
Experience in Policy and Governance
Khera has worked in the Cabinet Secretariat, contributing to policy decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic. At the state level in Himachal Pradesh, he has held key positions such as Home Secretary and Principal Secretary across multiple departments, gaining extensive governance experience.
Academic and Global Exposure
An engineering graduate from BITS Pilani, Khera holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. He has also completed advanced public policy training at the Indian School of Business and was a Chevening Gurukul Fellow at the London School of Economics.
Key Role in Strengthening MSME Sector
As MSME Secretary, Bharat Khera will play a crucial role in supporting a sector that contributes over 30% to India’s GDP and is a major driver of manufacturing, exports, and employment.
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His appointment comes at a time when the government is focusing on boosting MSMEs through policy reforms, improved access to finance, and enhanced global competitiveness.