In a significant development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Santosh Kumar Sarangi as the new Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). A 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Odisha cadre, Sarangi, will assume charge of a ministry that is central to India’s renewable energy ambitions and climate goals.

Santosh Kumar Sarangi is currently serving as the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in the Department of Commerce. In his new role, he will take over from Nidhi Khare, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre. Khare was assigned the additional responsibility of MNRE Secretary in January 2025 while continuing to serve as the Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy plays a pivotal role in spearheading the country’s transition to sustainable energy sources. It is tasked with the formulation and implementation of policies and programs related to solar, wind, small hydro, and bio energy. The ministry is also responsible for supporting the development and adoption of new technologies such as green hydrogen and energy storage solutions.

Under Sarangi’s leadership, the MNRE is expected to intensify its efforts to achieve the government’s ambitious renewable energy targets. India has pledged to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by the year 2030 as part of its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Achieving this goal requires strong coordination between public and private stakeholders, as well as effective implementation of central schemes and projects.

Sarangi’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture, as the government is focused on expanding the scale and speed of renewable energy deployment across the country. His administrative experience and previous roles in trade and commerce are expected to contribute significantly to advancing India’s clean energy strategy, particularly in facilitating international collaboration and investments in the sector.

With his entry, the ministry is likely to see a renewed push for integrated energy planning, enhanced focus on emerging technologies, and a structured roadmap for enhancing institutional capacity. This transition in leadership aligns with the broader national agenda of achieving energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

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The Ministry of Power, under which the MNRE operates, continues to play a key role in shaping the future of India’s energy landscape. Sarangi’s stewardship is expected to provide further momentum to the government’s clean energy initiatives and support the realisation of its long-term vision of a green and resilient power sector.

This leadership change marks a critical step in reinforcing the institutional framework required for scaling up renewable energy solutions and meeting India’s environmental and developmental objectives.

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