Centre Shakes Up Top Bureaucracy: New Defence, Health Secretaries Appointed

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday announced a major reshuffle of senior bureaucrats across key ministries. The changes, affecting top positions in finance, defence and minority affairs, reflect the government’s focus on experienced leadership and continuity.

Punya Salila Srivastava, currently Special Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, has been appointed the next Health Secretary. She will initially serve as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Health and Family Welfare Department before assuming the full role upon the retirement of Apurva Chandra on September 30.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, the incumbent Secretary for the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, is set to take charge as the new Defence Secretary. Similar to Srivastava, he will begin as OSD in the Defence Ministry and subsequently succeed Aramane Giridhar, who retires on October 31.

Katikithala Srinivas, currently heading the Minority Affairs Ministry, will transition to the role of Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary.

Deepti Umashankar has been appointed as the new Secretary to the President.

The reshuffle also sees Vivek Joshi, Financial Services Secretary, moving to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as Secretary. His position will be filled by Nagaraju Maddirala, currently Additional Secretary in the Coal Ministry.