A&AS Officer Raghvendra Singh Appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Government of India
In a recent administrative development, Mr. Raghvendra Singh, a 2013-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, New Delhi.
This appointment has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS), which facilitates the deputation of Group ‘A’ officers from various organized services to key positions within central ministries and departments.
Profile of the Officer
Mr. Raghvendra Singh, an officer belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, brings with him a strong professional background in public financial management, government accounting, expenditure control, audit of public sector undertakings, and fiscal policy formulation. Over the course of his service, he has gained experience working across multiple tiers of governance, including field offices of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and central ministries.
Officers from the IA&AS cadre are known for their expertise in financial scrutiny, internal control mechanisms, and auditing standards—skills that are invaluable to departments dealing with trade, industry, and economic policy, such as the Department of Commerce.
New Role and Responsibilities
As Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Mr. Singh will play a crucial role in the formulation, coordination, and implementation of India’s trade and export policies, as well as in overseeing key administrative and policy functions within the ministry.
His duties are expected to include:
Assisting in policy design and trade negotiations with international partners.
Overseeing the implementation of export promotion schemes and foreign trade facilitation initiatives.
Coordinating with departments such as the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Export Promotion Councils, and industry bodies.
Monitoring the performance of key trade sectors, including commodities, manufacturing, and services exports.
Managing the administrative and financial operations of divisions assigned to him within the ministry.
Given his professional expertise in audit and accounts, Mr. Singh is also expected to strengthen the financial governance and accountability frameworks within the Department of Commerce, ensuring compliance with budgetary norms and efficient resource utilization.
About the Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is the nodal agency responsible for formulating and executing India’s foreign trade policy. It promotes international trade, supports exporters, negotiates bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and works to enhance India’s global competitiveness.
The department also supervises specialized bodies and organizations, including the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Trade Promotion Councils, and commodity boards.
Appointments like that of Mr. Raghvendra Singh are part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen institutional capacity by placing experienced officers from varied services in strategic economic ministries.
Significance of the Appointment
Mr. Singh’s posting as Deputy Secretary in one of the country’s most economically significant departments reflects the government’s emphasis on leveraging financial and audit expertise in policymaking and international trade administration.
His background in fiscal oversight and public finance management will likely contribute to improving the efficiency, transparency, and compliance of government trade programs.
Furthermore, his appointment comes at a time when the Department of Commerce is actively engaged in restructuring export strategies, pursuing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several global partners, and implementing initiatives aimed at boosting India’s export competitiveness under the “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local” campaigns.
With his induction as Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce, Mr. Raghvendra Singh (IA&AS: 2013) joins the cadre of mid-level officers steering India’s trade and economic agenda from within the central government.
His strong grounding in financial accountability, combined with a reputation for analytical rigor and administrative discipline, positions him well to contribute meaningfully to the policy formulation and governance processes within the Department of Commerce, Government of India.
