NEW DELHI — The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), has approved a major administrative reshuffle, designating new senior leadership across several central ministries and departments at the Additional Secretary level.
The official order, issued on September 25, 2026, details ten high-level postings and lateral shifts across civil aviation, finance, education, power, and petroleum sectors.
Key Leadership Postings & Portfolio Reallocations
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Shri Vipin Kumar, IAS (BH:1996): Transitioning from Chairman, Airports Authority of India (Ministry of Civil Aviation) to Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development.
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Shri Srikant Nagulapalli, IAS (AP:1998): Moving from Director General of Hydrocarbons (Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas) to Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
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Ms. Sarita Chauhan Chand, IAS (AGMUT:1999): Shifted from Additional Secretary, DARPG to Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Steel.
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Shri Anand Singh, IAS (KL:2000): Appointed as Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
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Ms. P. Hemalatha, IAS (KN:2000): Transitioning from Development Commissioner, Cochin Special Economic Zone to Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) via the temporary upgradation of a vacant Joint Secretary post.
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Shri V. Ponnuraj, IAS (KN:2000): Named Director General of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary, succeeding Srikant Nagulapalli.
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Shri Piyush Singh, IAS (MH:2000): Shifted from Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power to Mission Director, National Water Mission (Ministry of Jal Shakti) in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary.
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Shri Mandeep K Bhandari, IAS (AGMUT:2001): Appointed as Chairperson, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary via temporary post upgradation.
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Ms. Ankita Mishra Bundela, IAS (AGMUT:2001): Moving from Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education).
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Ms. Manisha Sensarma, IES (1995): Designated as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship via post upgradation.
Compulsory Wait Clause
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Foreign Assignment Transition: The ACC approved that the period between the completion of foreign assignments and the assumption of charge for Shri Anand Singh and Shri V. Ponnuraj will be treated as compulsory wait within DoPT.
