ACC Clears Re-designation of IAS Officers Mangesh Ghildiyal and Chandra Mohan Thakur as Directors in PMO from January 1, 2026
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the elevation of two serving Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers—Mangesh Ghildiyal (2012 batch, Uttarakhand cadre) and Chandra Mohan Thakur (2012 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre)—through their re-designation as Directors in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The change in designation will come into force from January 1, 2026, as per an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday.
Both officers are presently working as Deputy Secretaries in the PMO. With this re-designation, they will assume enhanced responsibilities and play a more substantial role in policy coordination, administrative oversight, and the implementation of key governance initiatives handled directly by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mangesh Ghildiyal: Academic Excellence and Grassroots Governance
Mangesh Ghildiyal, a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, brings with him a strong academic foundation combined with extensive administrative experience. His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Physics from PNG Government PG College, Ramnagar (Kumaun University), a Master’s degree in Physics from DSB Campus, Nainital, and an M.Tech. from Devi Ahilya University, Indore.
Ghildiyal achieved All India Rank 4 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, a distinction that underscores his academic rigor and perseverance. After joining the service, he opted for the Uttarakhand cadre and has since been closely associated with governance initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and socio-economic outcomes in the state’s hilly and underserved regions.
Currently posted as Deputy Secretary in the PMO, he has been involved in handling important policy-related assignments. Upon assuming charge as Director, Ghildiyal is expected to contribute at a higher strategic level to decision-making processes and the execution of flagship central government programmes.
Chandra Mohan Thakur: Engineering Background to Policy Leadership
Chandra Mohan Thakur, also from the 2012 IAS batch, belongs to the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, from where he earned a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, equipping him with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities that have shaped his administrative approach.
As Deputy Secretary in the PMO, Thakur has been associated with the handling of crucial governance and coordination matters involving multiple ministries and departments. His re-designation as Director is expected to expand his role in driving inter-ministerial coordination and overseeing the implementation of priority policy initiatives at the national level.
Administrative Significance of the ACC Decision
The elevation of both officers to Director-level positions in the PMO reflects the government’s emphasis on institutional continuity, merit-based progression, and optimal utilization of experienced officers within the IAS framework. The decision comes at a time when the PMO is preparing to oversee a series of important administrative and policy initiatives scheduled for 2026.
By strengthening leadership within the Prime Minister’s Office, the ACC’s move is aimed at ensuring effective governance, sharper policy execution, and smoother coordination across central ministries, reinforcing the PMO’s pivotal role in India’s administrative architecture.
