ACC Clears Multiple Senior Bureaucratic Appointments; IAS, IDAS and IA&AS Officers Posted to Key Central Ministries, New Secretary for Earth Sciences Named
In a significant round of senior bureaucratic appointments, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) have approved a series of postings under the Central Staffing Scheme, assigning several IAS, IDAS and IA&AS officers to important positions across key Union ministries and departments.
The latest orders, issued on July 15 and 16, 2026, include appointments in the Departments of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Water Resources, Statistics & Programme Implementation, along with the appointment of a new Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The appointments are aimed at strengthening administrative leadership across crucial ministries dealing with finance, agriculture, water resources, rural infrastructure, industrial development, statistics and scientific research.
Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala Appointed Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences
Among the most significant decisions, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala as the new Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Dr Tummala currently serves as the Head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) Secretariat under the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in Perth, Australia.
According to the ACC order issued on July 16, he will serve as Secretary for a period of two years from the date he assumes charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
His appointment comes at a crucial time as India continues to strengthen its capabilities in ocean sciences, weather forecasting, climate research, earthquake monitoring and tsunami early warning systems.
Nipun Jindal Appointed Deputy Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs
The Competent Authority has approved the appointment of Shri Nipun Jindal (IAS:2014: Himachal Pradesh) as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance.
He has been appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of four years from the date of assuming charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The Himachal Pradesh Government has been requested to relieve the officer immediately so that he can join his new assignment in New Delhi.
Ajay Singh Tomer Posted as Director in Agriculture Ministry
Another important appointment is that of Shri Ajay Singh Tomer (IAS:2012: Haryana).
The ACC has approved his appointment as Director in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare for a period of five years under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The Haryana Government has been directed to relieve the officer immediately to enable him to take charge of his new responsibilities in the Agriculture Ministry.
His appointment assumes significance as the Centre continues to focus on agricultural reforms, food security, digital agriculture and farmer-centric initiatives.
Angel Bhati Chauhan Moves to Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
Ms Angel Bhati Chauhan (IAS:2014: AGMUT) has been selected for appointment as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
She was recommended for Central deputation by the Ministry of Home Affairs and will serve for four years under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been requested to relieve her immediately so that she can assume her new assignment.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation plays a key role in implementing flagship programmes related to rural drinking water supply, sanitation and the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Apurva Dubey Also Appointed to Drinking Water Department
In another appointment to the same department, Ms Apurva Dubey (IAS:2013: Uttar Pradesh) has also been appointed as Deputy Secretary.
Her appointment has likewise been approved for four years under the Central Staffing Scheme.
The Uttar Pradesh Government has been instructed to relieve the officer immediately so that she may join the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in New Delhi.
With two experienced IAS officers joining simultaneously, the department is expected to receive additional administrative support for implementing major rural water supply and sanitation programmes.
Mona Kumari Jain Appointed Deputy Secretary in Statistics Ministry
The DoPT has also approved the appointment of Ms Mona Kumari Jain (IA&AS:2013) as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
She had been recommended for Central deputation by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Her appointment has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme for a four-year tenure.
MoSPI plays an important role in generating official statistics, monitoring government programmes and supporting evidence-based policymaking across ministries.
Manish Mishra Posted to Chemicals & Petrochemicals Department
Shri Manish Mishra (IAS:2015: West Bengal) has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals.
At present, he is on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training.
His appointment under the Central Staffing Scheme will be for four years from the date he assumes charge.
The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals oversees policy relating to the country’s chemical industry, petrochemical manufacturing and downstream industrial development.
Sahil Goyal Named Director in Water Resources Department
The Competent Authority has approved the appointment of Shri Sahil Goyal (IDAS:2011) as Director in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
He had been recommended for Central deputation by the Department of Defence.
The appointment has been made for five years, and he has been directed to join the ministry immediately after being relieved from his parent organisation.
The department is responsible for river basin management, irrigation policy, groundwater conservation and implementation of projects relating to river rejuvenation, including the Namami Gange Programme.
Raval Hamendra Kumar Also Joins Water Resources Ministry
In another significant appointment, Shri Raval Hamendra Kumar (IAS:2011: Tripura) has also been appointed as Director in the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
His appointment has likewise been approved under the Central Staffing Scheme for a five-year tenure.
The Government of Tripura has been requested to relieve the officer immediately so that he can join the ministry in New Delhi.
The appointment of two senior officers to the department reflects the Centre’s continued emphasis on strengthening water resource management, irrigation planning and river conservation initiatives.
Officers Directed to Join Within Three Weeks
Each of the DoPT appointment orders reiterates the existing instructions issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet regarding timely joining.
Under the DoPT Circular dated August 17, 2005, officers appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme are required to assume charge of their new assignments within three weeks from the date of issuance of the appointment order.
Failure to join within the prescribed period may lead to initiation of proceedings for debarment from the Central Staffing Scheme.
Strengthening Governance Across Key Ministries
The latest round of appointments reflects the Union Government’s continued effort to place experienced civil servants in ministries handling finance, agriculture, water resources, industrial policy, rural infrastructure, official statistics and scientific research.
With appointments spanning multiple cadres and services, including IAS, IDAS and IA&AS officers, the Centre has strengthened administrative capacity across several strategic sectors while also ensuring continuity in governance through the Central Staffing Scheme.
The appointment of Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, alongside multiple senior-level deputation postings, marks another important phase in the government’s ongoing administrative restructuring aimed at improving policy implementation, institutional coordination and efficient public service delivery.
