In a key bureaucratic reshuffle, the Government of India has appointed Avinash Purushottam Das Joshi (IAS:1994:AM) as the new Secretary in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Prior to this appointment, Joshi served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). He officially assumed charge of his new role today.
Top Post at MoFPI Filled After Over a Month-Long Vacancy
This appointment ends the vacancy that had persisted since Subrat Gupta (IAS:1990:WB) retired from the post on 31 May 2025. Since then, the Ministry was functioning under the additional charge of Sanjeev Chopra (IAS:1990:OR), Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
Earlier Appointment Withdrawn
Earlier, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) had assigned Nidhi Chhibber (IAS:1994:CG) as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the MoFPI, in line for the Secretary post. However, that decision was later reversed, and she was instead appointed as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog, at the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
With Joshi’s elevation, the post of Additional Secretary in the DoPT now stands vacant—a key position in central staffing and personnel management.
A Seasoned Administrator at the Helm
Avinash Joshi, a senior IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is known for his strong administrative track record. He has held various important roles at both the state and central levels. His appointment comes at a crucial time, as the government is pushing for advances in agri-processing, food innovation, and value-added exports aimed at increasing farmers’ income and reducing post-harvest losses.
