Seasoned Diplomat to Take Charge Following Superannuation of Arun Kumar Chatterjee on December 31, 2025
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has formally approved the appointment of Ms. Sripriya Ranganathan, a 1994-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, as the new Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
She will assume the position following the superannuation of Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee (IFS:1992), who is set to retire from government service on December 31, 2025.
Key Leadership Transition in MEA
Ms. Ranganathan’s elevation to Secretary (CPV & OIA) places her at the helm of India’s vital consular and diaspora engagement framework. The CPV & OIA division is responsible for passport and visa services, protection and welfare of overseas Indians, OCI card management, consular outreach, and crisis response operations for Indian nationals abroad.
Her appointment ensures continuity and strengthened leadership at a time when global mobility, diaspora services, and international consular coordination are witnessing unprecedented expansion.
An Accomplished Diplomatic Career
With over three decades of distinguished diplomatic service, Ms. Ranganathan brings extensive experience in foreign policy execution, international negotiations, and consular administration. She has held key assignments both in India and abroad, building a reputation for efficiency, people-centric diplomacy, and strategic governance.
Role Significance
As Secretary (CPV & OIA), she will lead initiatives aimed at digital transformation of passport services, modernization of visa processing, enhanced diaspora engagement programs, and rapid-response consular mechanisms for Indians overseas.
Her leadership is expected to further strengthen India’s global citizen services ecosystem and reinforce the government’s commitment to the safety, welfare, and empowerment of the Indian diaspora.
