Arvind Shrivastava, a seasoned bureaucrat from the 1994 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Karnataka cadre, has officially assumed charge as the Secretary of the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on April 18, 2025.
He succeeds Manoj Govil, a 1991-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who has been reassigned to the Cabinet Secretariat. The reshuffle represents a significant realignment within the senior ranks of India’s financial administration.
Vast Experience in Administration and Economic Policy
Before his current appointment, Mr. Shrivastava served as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), following a previous role as Joint Secretary. He has played a key role in economic policymaking, particularly during his tenure as Joint Secretary in the Budget Division of the Department of Economic Affairs, where he was closely involved in Union Budget formulation, government borrowing strategies, and small savings policies.
His career also includes international experience as a Development Officer with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), along with prominent roles in Karnataka, including Secretary of the Finance and Urban Development Departments, and Managing Director of the Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation.
Leadership in Fiscal Management
During his tenure as Secretary to the Government of Karnataka from 2012 to 2017, Shrivastava was responsible for overseeing budget planning, tax administration, and treasury operations. He was actively involved in ensuring compliance with fiscal responsibility norms and worked closely with revenue-generating departments like Commercial Taxes and Excise. His work also included coordination with State and Central Finance Commissions and legislative oversight committees such as the Public Accounts Committee.
Renowned for his precision in fiscal management and policy design, Mr. Shrivastava brings over three decades of wide-ranging experience in governance, especially in financial and economic affairs.
Academic Background
Mr. Shrivastava holds a B.Tech. in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and an MSc in Finance and Economic Policy from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. His academic foundation bridges technical and economic disciplines, offering a robust perspective on infrastructure development and fiscal policy.
A Timely and Strategic Appointment
Mr. Shrivastava’s elevation comes at a pivotal time for the Ministry of Finance, which is focused on accelerating economic growth, refining tax administration, and boosting revenue collection while maintaining fiscal discipline. His diverse experience across central and state governments, along with exposure to international financial institutions, positions him well to steer the Department of Revenue through ongoing reforms and modernization efforts.
