Senior IAS officer Keshav Chandra (IAS:1995:AGMUT) has assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. He took over the new role on 27 July 2026 and immediately reviewed the Ministry’s ongoing programmes and strategic priorities.
His appointment comes at a time when the Ministry is focusing on strengthening mineral exploration, accelerating the development of critical mineral resources, and enhancing the country’s mining ecosystem to support economic growth and the clean energy transition.
Reviews Key Initiatives After Taking Charge
Soon after assuming office, Keshav Chandra chaired a meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Mines to assess the progress of major initiatives and ongoing projects.
During the meeting, officials briefed him on several priority areas, including:
- Mineral exploration across the country
- Auction and operationalisation of mineral blocks
- Development of critical and strategic minerals
- Other important initiatives aimed at strengthening the mining and mineral sector
The review focused on the current status of these programmes and the steps being taken to improve their implementation.
Focus on Strengthening India’s Mineral Sector
Addressing senior officials, Keshav Chandra emphasised the need for close coordination and timely execution of the Ministry’s initiatives. He highlighted that effective implementation of key programmes will play an important role in strengthening India’s mineral sector and supporting the country’s long-term resource security.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in mineral exploration and ensuring that auctioned mineral blocks become operational at the earliest to boost domestic mineral production.
Driving Growth in the Mining Sector
The Ministry of Mines has been actively working to increase mineral exploration, promote investments, and secure the supply of critical and strategic minerals required for sectors such as clean energy, electronics, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing.
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With Keshav Chandra taking charge as Secretary, the Ministry is expected to continue its focus on policy implementation, faster project execution and sustainable development of India’s mineral resources.