The central government on Friday (November 21, 2025) appointed senior IAS officer Neeraj Mittal (IAS:1992:TN) as the new Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG). He replaces Pankaj Jain (IAS:1990:AM), who is set to join as Member Secretary of the Eighth Central Pay Commission. Mittal has been serving as Telecom Secretary since September 2023.
This marks Mittal’s second stint in MoPNG, where he earlier worked as Director and Joint Secretary between December 2010 and June 2015. His extensive familiarity with the ministry’s functioning is expected to support the government’s ongoing energy-sector reforms.
During his tenure in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Mittal played a pivotal role in advancing India’s telecom framework. He was instrumental in promoting India’s indigenous telecom technology stack, supervised BSNL’s rollout of nearly 1 lakh 4G sites, and chaired the Digital Communications Commission, contributing to several landmark policy reforms.
Widely regarded as one of the most meticulous and result-oriented officers at the Centre, Mittal’s appointment to MoPNG comes at a crucial time. The ministry plays a vital role in managing India’s energy security, supporting economic growth, ensuring energy access to millions, and advancing the nation’s transition toward clean and sustainable energy. His leadership is expected to reinforce these national priorities.
Born on 17 December 1967, Mittal is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur. Over the years, he has served in diverse roles across both the central government and his parent cadre of Tamil Nadu. He has been on central deputation since September 2023, when he was appointed Telecom Secretary.
Mittal began his career as Assistant Collector of South Arcot in Tamil Nadu in October 1992. At the Centre, he has served in key departments including Finance, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Commerce & Industry, and Telecommunications at the Director and Joint Secretary levels. In the Tamil Nadu cadre, he worked in departments such as Information Technology, Secretariat Establishment, and Transport, besides playing a crucial role as Joint Commissioner of Tsunami Rehabilitation in Chennai. He also served as District Collector of Coimbatore between 2006 and 2008, earning recognition for his administrative leadership.
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