Kandarp Vajubhai Patel, IA&AS, Appointed Private Secretary to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Till November 2029
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a key administrative restructuring involving Mr Kandarp Vajubhai Patel, IA&AS (2012 batch), paving the way for his appointment as Private Secretary to the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
As part of this decision, the ACC has sanctioned the premature curtailment of Mr Patel’s existing central deputation tenure, under which he was serving as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Expenditure under the Central Staffing Scheme.
Following the curtailment, Mr Patel has been formally appointed as Private Secretary to the Union Minister in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting at the Deputy Secretary level, with effect from the date he assumes charge of the post. Subsequently, with effect from 1 January 2026, he will be elevated to the Director level while continuing to serve as the Minister’s Private Secretary.
His tenure in this capacity will remain valid up to 21 November 2029, corresponding to the balance period of his approved five-year central deputation tenure. The appointment shall be co-terminus with the tenure of the Minister, or until he ceases to function as Private Secretary, or until further government orders are issued — whichever occurs first.
The appointment is expected to strengthen administrative coordination and ministerial support functions across three strategically significant portfolios—Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology—handled by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
