Modi Govt Announces Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle, RK Singh New Defence Secretary

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th August. The Modi government has implemented a major reshuffle at the senior bureaucratic level, with key appointments across various ministries. One of the most notable changes is the appointment of Rajesh Kumar (RK) Singh as the new Defence Secretary, reflecting the government’s focus on ensuring continuity in key roles.

In another major change, Katikithala Srinivas, who previously served as Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Additionally, Vivek Joshi has been named Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), taking up a crucial role in managing the country’s civil service.

Among other key appointments, Manoj Govil, currently Secretary at the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has been assigned the role of Secretary in the Department of Expenditure, under the Ministry of Finance. Vandana Gurnani has been appointed Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat, a crucial position in managing the government’s administrative coordination.

Chandra Sekhar Kumar, currently Special Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will now serve as Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, succeeding Katikithala Srinivas. Neelam Shammi Rao, who currently serves as Central Provident Fund Commissioner, has been named Secretary of the National Commission for Minorities under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Another significant move sees Punya Salila Srivastava, Special Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Health and Family Welfare. She will formally assume the role of Secretary in the department following the retirement of Apurva Chandra on September 30, 2024.

Further appointments include Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, CEO of the National Health Authority, who has been named Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, replacing Manoj Govil. Deepti Umashankar, who is currently the Establishment Officer and Additional Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty to the President of India.

This reshuffle highlights the government’s focus on smooth transitions and maintaining leadership stability in key ministries as senior officials prepare to retire or take on new responsibilities.