In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Rajit Punhani (IAS: 1991: BH) as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). He takes over from Ganji Kamala V Rao (Retd IAS: 1990: KL), who recently retired.
Punhani, a senior IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, brings with him more than three decades of diverse administrative experience at both the Centre and in the state. Until recently, he served as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, where he steered key initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce readiness and scaling vocational training in alignment with India’s skilling ecosystem.
Over the course of his career, Punhani has held several crucial assignments. At the Centre, he served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, where he played a vital role in shaping labour policies and strengthening social security measures. In Bihar, as Principal Secretary, he handled important portfolios including finance and administrative reforms, contributing to governance efficiency and fiscal management.
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His appointment to head FSSAI comes at a time when India is sharpening its focus on food safety, nutrition security, and regulatory modernization. The authority, which plays a central role in ensuring safe and wholesome food for citizens, is also tasked with advancing standards that align with global benchmarks. Under Punhani’s leadership, FSSAI is expected to drive reforms in food testing infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and consumer awareness, while also supporting India’s food processing industry in meeting export competitiveness.
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