NEW DELHI – In a move to strengthen the mid-level leadership within the Ministry of Finance, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the redesignation and upgrade of Asif Ismail (IOFS: 2012) to the post of Director in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).
The official order, approved on February 3, 2026, elevates Ismail from his previous role as Deputy Secretary within the same department.
Profile: A Strategic Hand in Investment Policy
Asif Ismail is a 2012-batch officer of the Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS). Since joining the DEA on central deputation in early 2023, he has been a key figure in the Investment and Digital Economy Division.
Key Responsibilities & Expertise:
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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Overseeing policy frameworks and investment inflows.
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Digital Economy: Managing the intersection of finance and emerging technologies.
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Tenure: His central deputation, which began on January 3, 2023, is currently slated to continue until January 2, 2027.
Part of a Broader IOFS Elevation
Ismail’s redesignation was not an isolated event. It was part of a coordinated move by the ACC to upgrade four high-performing 2012-batch IOFS officers from the rank of Deputy Secretary to Director at their respective postings:
| Officer Name | Service/Batch | Department/Secretariat |
| Asif Ismail | IOFS (2012) | Department of Economic Affairs |
| Prabhat Shrivastava | IOFS (2012) | Cabinet Secretariat |
| Amrendra Kishore Singh | IOFS (2012) | NITI Aayog (Redesignated in situ) |
| Minhaz Ahmad | IOFS (2012) | Ministry of Home Affairs |
Impact on the DEA
The upgrade to Director level grants these officers higher administrative and financial powers, essential for the fast-paced environment of the Ministry of Finance. For Ismail, this means a more direct role in shaping India’s Foreign Investment strategies and Digital Economy regulations as the government looks to maintain its 7%+ GDP growth trajectory through 2026.
Ismail is currently stationed at the Kartavya Bhavan complex (formerly known as North Block/Shastri Bhavan area) in New Delhi.
