The Government of India has approved the appointment of Vikas Khera, an officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), to the post of Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS).
Mr. Khera’s selection marks another instance of the government’s ongoing strategy to bring experienced officers from specialized services into critical roles within the central ministries. The Central Staffing Scheme is designed to ensure a steady rotation of talented officers from various civil services into key administrative and policy positions at the Union level.
Professional Background and Experience
Vikas Khera belongs to the Indian Railway Traffic Service, a prestigious Group ‘A’ service responsible for managing the complex logistics, planning, and coordination of passenger and freight operations within the Indian Railways — one of the world’s largest transport networks.
Over his career, Mr. Khera has gained extensive experience in transport planning, operations management, infrastructure coordination, and inter-agency communication. He has handled several high-responsibility assignments involving policy formulation, capacity optimization, and coordination between central and state agencies.
In the railways, he was known for his ability to manage large-scale operational challenges, ensuring efficient movement of goods and passengers while maintaining safety, punctuality, and resource efficiency. His background in handling logistics, crisis management, and inter-departmental coordination makes him well-suited for his new role in the Defence Ministry.
Role and Responsibilities in the Department of Defence
As Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence, Mr. Khera will assist senior officials in strategic planning, administrative coordination, defence logistics, and project management.
Given his railway service experience, he is expected to contribute significantly to logistics management and infrastructure coordination within the defence ecosystem — particularly in areas such as supply chain planning, transport optimization, and coordination for movement of defence materials.
The role of a Deputy Secretary typically involves supervising multiple divisions, drafting policy notes, preparing cabinet briefs, and coordinating inter-ministerial initiatives. Mr. Khera’s appointment is thus expected to strengthen the department’s administrative and operational efficiency.
Tenure and Terms of Appointment
Mr. Khera’s posting has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme, which allows for officers from different All India and Central Group ‘A’ services to be deputed to central ministries for a tenure generally ranging between four and five years, subject to the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
He will assume his new responsibilities in New Delhi, where the Department of Defence operates as part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The appointment order directs that he be relieved from his present posting in the Railways to take up the new assignment at the earliest.
Significance of the Appointment
The induction of an IRTS officer into the Ministry of Defence highlights the government’s increasing emphasis on inter-service mobility and cross-sectoral expertise. The Defence Ministry’s operations often intersect with large-scale transport and infrastructure planning — areas where railway officers bring specialized insights.
By appointing officers like Mr. Khera, the government aims to enhance logistics efficiency, inter-departmental coordination, and process integration across ministries that deal with national security, supply chain management, and infrastructure development.
Vikas Khera, a distinguished officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence under the Central Staffing Scheme. His extensive experience in operational logistics and infrastructure management within the Indian Railways is expected to strengthen the Defence Ministry’s administrative and logistical framework, ensuring smoother coordination and improved policy execution.
