More than two dozen senior-level appointments across central government departments, including Home Affairs, Health, Culture, Corporate Affairs, NITI Aayog, etc
The ACC has approved 26 senior-level appointments across central government departments, including Home Affairs, Health, Culture, Corporate Affairs, NITI Aayog and other key organisations.
The Government of India has announced a major round of senior-level appointments across central ministries, departments and public institutions, with the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approving a series of postings at the Joint Secretary and equivalent levels. The order, dated October 10, 2026, covers appointments across a broad range of portfolios, including Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Corporate Affairs, Culture, Road Transport and Highways, Water Resources, and Women and Child Development.
Varnali Deka Appointed Joint Secretary, National Health Authority
Varnali Deka, an IAS officer of the 2009 Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the National Health Authority (NHA), under the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Her combined tenure will run up to August 28, 2030, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. She will succeed Jyoti Yadav, an IAS officer of the 2009 Union Territories cadre, as recorded in the order.
More Ashish Madhaorao Appointed Additional CEO, National Health Authority
More Ashish Madhaorao, an IAS officer of the 2005 Union Territories cadre, has been appointed Additional Chief Executive Officer at the Joint Secretary level in the National Health Authority. The position falls under the Department of Health and Family Welfare. His combined tenure will extend up to June 15, 2030, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed Madhu Rani Teotia, an IAS officer of the 2008 Union Territories cadre.
Vivek Khare Appointed Joint Secretary, National Testing Agency
Vivek Khare, an Indian Telecommunication Service (ITS) officer of the 1996 batch, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the National Testing Agency (NTA), under the Department of Higher Education. His overall tenure will run up to December 2, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The order also states that a newly created Deputy Secretary/Director-level post at the NTA will be temporarily upgraded to Joint Secretary level for an initial period of two years.
Ravi Shanakar Appointed Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
Ravi Shanakar, an IAS officer of the 2007 Gujarat cadre, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His combined tenure will extend up to July 31, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed M Ramachandrudu, an IAS officer of the 2009 Bihar cadre.
Chittaranjan Dash Appointed Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
Chittaranjan Dash, an Indian Revenue Service officer of the Union Territories cadre, 1999 batch, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His overall tenure will run up to January 11, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed Praveen Kumar Rai, an Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer of the 2003 batch.
P Manoj Kumar Appointed Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
P Manoj Kumar, an Indian Statistical Service (ISS) officer of the 1998 batch, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His overall tenure will extend up to December 1, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed Parthasarathi Gurrala of the Central Secretariat Service.
Abhishek Bhagotia Appointed Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
Abhishek Bhagotia, an IAS officer of the 2007 Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His combined tenure will run up to April 3, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed Nishtha Tiwari, an IRS officer of the 2005 batch.
Navin Agarwal Appointed Joint Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs
Navin Agarwal, an Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer of the 1997 batch, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs. His overall tenure will continue up to March 14, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed Ajay Gupta, an Indian Railway Stores Service (IRSS) officer of the 1993 batch.
M Ramachandrudu Appointed Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs
M Ramachandrudu, an IAS officer of the 2009 Bihar cadre, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. His combined tenure will extend up to August 26, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He will succeed Ram Singh, an IAS officer of the 2008 Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
