The Government of India has approved the appointment of Pawan Kumar Konda, a 2010-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence. His appointment comes under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS), which enables the deputation of officers from various civil services to key positions in the Central Government.
Mr. Konda, who has been serving as Director of Audit in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, brings with him over a decade of diverse professional experience in public financial management, audit, and accountability frameworks. His tenure in the CAG has involved overseeing audits of several critical sectors, including defence expenditure, public infrastructure, and social sector programmes.
Background and Professional Profile
An officer known for his analytical acumen and policy insight, Pawan Kumar Konda has worked extensively in the domain of government audit and financial oversight, contributing to enhancing transparency and fiscal discipline within government departments.
In his previous assignments, Mr. Konda has handled performance audits, compliance audits, and financial reviews, particularly focusing on efficiency in public spending and outcome-based budgeting. His experience spans both central and state-level audit operations, reflecting a well-rounded understanding of India’s administrative and financial architecture.
Role and Responsibilities in the Department of Defence
As Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Konda will play a crucial role in supporting policy formulation, coordination, and administrative management across the department’s functional areas. The position typically involves assisting senior officials in handling matters related to defence planning, procurement policies, budget allocations, and inter-departmental coordination.
His background in financial oversight and audit is expected to bring an added layer of rigour to the ministry’s decision-making and expenditure monitoring mechanisms — particularly significant in a department that handles one of the largest budgetary allocations in the Union Government.
Appointment Tenure and Terms
Mr. Konda’s deputation under the Central Staffing Scheme is generally for a tenure of four to five years, unless curtailed or extended by the competent authority. The appointment reflects the government’s broader effort to bring officers with strong fiscal, audit, and administrative experience into ministries dealing with high-value and strategically sensitive portfolios like Defence.
He is expected to assume charge of his new responsibilities in New Delhi shortly after being officially relieved from his current post in the CAG.
Significance of the Appointment
The induction of officers like Mr. Konda into core policy ministries underscores the government’s ongoing focus on institutional strengthening, financial accountability, and professional expertise in governance. With his audit background and understanding of public sector financial systems, Mr. Konda’s role in the Ministry of Defence is likely to contribute to improved oversight, efficient resource utilization, and enhanced procedural transparency.
The appointment of Pawan Kumar Konda (IA&AS:2010) as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence underlines the government’s commitment to infusing its strategic ministries with officers possessing solid financial and administrative credentials. His experience at the CAG will provide valuable insights into fiscal discipline and governance efficiency within the defence establishment.
