By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM|In a major round of high-level bureaucratic appointments, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has cleared several key postings across critical ministries and departments. The reshuffle includes new Secretaries for Pharmaceuticals, Tourism, Telecommunications, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Social Justice, Agriculture, and major assignments in the Law Ministry, marking a significant administrative overhaul.

Manoj Joshi appointed Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Manoj Joshi, IAS (KL:89), Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. He replaces Amit Agrawal (CG:93), who has moved to the Department of Telecommunications.

V. Vidyavathi appointed Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

V. Vidyavathi, IAS (KN:91), Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, has been appointed Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Her appointment is part of a significant restructuring approved by the ACC.

Neeraj Mittal to take charge as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Neeraj Mittal, IAS (TN:92), Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He succeeds Pankaj Jain (AM:90), who will assume charge as Member Secretary of the Eighth Central Pay Commission.

Amit Agrawal appointed Secretary, Department of Telecommunications

Amit Agrawal, IAS (CG:93), Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, has been appointed Secretary, Department of Telecommunications. He takes over from Neeraj Mittal, who has been posted as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Sunil Paliwal appointed Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India

Sunil Paliwal, IAS (TN:93), Chairperson, Chennai Port Trust, has been appointed Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The post has been temporarily upgraded to Secretary level for this appointment.

Srivatsa Krishna appointed Secretary, Ministry of Tourism

Srivatsa Krishna, IAS (KN:94), presently in the cadre, has been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. He succeeds V. Vidyavathi, who has moved to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Atish Chandra appointed OSD, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; to take over as Secretary on 1 February 2026

Atish Chandra, IAS (BH:94), Special Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, has been appointed Officer on Special Duty, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, in the rank of Secretary with effect from 1 February 2026. He will take over as Secretary after the superannuation of Devesh Chaturvedi (UP:89) on 28 February 2026.

Anju Rathi Rana appointed Member Secretary, 23rd Law Commission of India

The ACC has approved the appointment of Anju Rathi Rana, ILS, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, as Member Secretary of the 23rd Law Commission of India. Her tenure will begin upon assumption of charge and continue till the end of the Commission’s term or until further orders.

Tenure of Rajiv Mani extended till July 2028

The tenure of Rajiv Mani, ILS, Secretary, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice, has been extended from 9 January 2026 to 31 July 2028, the date of his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Rajiv Mani given additional charge of Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs

The ACC has assigned Rajiv Mani, ILS, Secretary, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice, additional charge of Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, upon the relieving of Anju Rathi Rana. He will hold the charge until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders.