ACC Approves Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle: Senior IAS Officers Assigned to Key National Roles
In a significant development reflecting the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen administrative leadership across critical departments, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a series of senior-level bureaucratic appointments. The reshuffle, announced through an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), involves experienced officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other allied services being entrusted with pivotal responsibilities in ministries and national institutions.
At the forefront of this reshuffle is Manish Bhardwaj, a 1997 batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre. Bhardwaj, who has been serving as Secretary in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has now been appointed as Adviser in the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs. His new assignment places him in the rank and pay of an Additional Secretary to the Government of India, underscoring the importance of his role in facilitating coordination between states and the Centre on matters of governance and policy.
Another key appointment approved by the ACC is that of Saurabh Vijay, a 1998 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre. Vijay has been entrusted with the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), functioning under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). UIDAI, which administers the Aadhaar programme, is a cornerstone of India’s digital governance framework, and Vijay’s leadership at the Additional Secretary level is expected to further strengthen its operations and outreach.
The reshuffle also brings Nilkanth S. Avhad, a 1999 batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, into the spotlight. Avhad has been appointed as Secretary of the NDMA, succeeding Bhardwaj in this crucial institution that plays a central role in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. His appointment ensures continuity and experienced leadership in the authority’s mission to safeguard lives and infrastructure against natural and man-made disasters.
In another important move, Priyank Bharti, a 2001 batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, who is presently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has been given additional charge as Director General of the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The NIC is a vital institution providing digital infrastructure and e-governance support to the government, and Bharti’s dual responsibility highlights the trust placed in his administrative capabilities.
The ACC has also approved the appointment of Richa Misra, an officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), 1996 batch, as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Misra’s induction at this level is expected to bolster policy formulation and implementation in consumer protection and welfare, a sector directly impacting millions of citizens.
This latest round of appointments reflects the government’s emphasis on placing seasoned officers in strategic roles across ministries and departments. By aligning experienced bureaucrats with institutions central to governance, technology, disaster management, and consumer affairs, the ACC aims to enhance efficiency, accountability, and service delivery at the national level.
