SRH Fahmi (YOA: 2008) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Togolese Republic. Presently, he is serving as Director in the Ministry of External Affairs and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
In a statement, the MEA said, “ Shri S.R.H. Fahmi (YOA: 2008), presently Director in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Togolese Republic.”
“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the statement added.
Senior diplomat Ajaneesh Kumar (IFS: 1996) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Argentine Republic. Presently, he is serving as Ambassador of India to Estonia and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
In a statement, the MEA said, “Shri Ajaneesh Kumar (IFS: 1996), presently Ambassador of India to Estonia, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Argentine Republic.”
“He is expected to take up the assignment shortly,” the statement added.
Uma Nanduri (IFoS:1993:OR), currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training(DoPT) on Monday (03.02.2025), the competent authority has approved to repatriate Ms. Nanduri to her parent cadre to avail the benefit of promotion in the cadre.
In a significant development, Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday (01.02.2025) appointed two retired IPS officers to the key positions.
Retired IPS officer AB Venkateswara Rao (Retd.IPS:1989:AP) has been appointed as Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Police Housing Corporation Limited (APPHCL) for a two-year term. Rao, who was suspended during the previous YSRC government, was recently reinstated by the current administration. His suspension period has now been regularised, making him eligible for full pay and allowances.
Additionally, former DGP RP Thakur (Retd.IPS:1986:AP) has been appointed as an Adviser to the state government for two years. He will be based at AP Bhawan in New Delhi.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has failed to find a suitable candidate for the post of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at a selection meeting held on February 1, 2025. The PESB interviewed 12 candidates for the job following which it advised the Administrative Ministry/ Department to take an appropriate course of action for selection including the search cum selection committee (SCSC) or as deemed appropriate with the approval of the competent authority.
The CMD post in BPCL set to fall vacant on May 1, 2025. Currently, G Krishnakumar is serving as CMD of BPCL.
During the selection meeting, the following 12 candidates were interviewed:
Sachidananda Maharana has been selected for appointment as Director (Finance), Numaligarh Refinery Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 1, 2025. Presently, he is serving as Chief General Manager (F&A), Oil India Limited.
He will be appointed to the post of Director (Finance) after receiving vigilance clearances and approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
The following 10 applicants were interviewed in the selection meeting:
Ajit Kumar Mishra has been selected for appointment Director (Works), IRCON International Limited at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 1, 2025. Presently, he is serving as Executive Director, Contract Management, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation Of India Limited (DFCCIL).
He will be appointed to the post of Director (Works) after receiving vigilance clearances and approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
The following 11 applicants were interviewed in the selection meeting:
Hari Kumar R has been selected for appointment as Director (Research & Development), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 1, 2025. Presently, he is serving as General Manager, Technology Planning, BEL.
He will be appointed to the post of Director (Research & Development) after receiving vigilance clearances and approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
The following 7 applicants were interviewed in the selection meeting:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her record eighth consecutive budget on Saturday, outlining the government’s plans for taxation, spending, and economic growth. The budget contained various measures that aims to ease the burden on the middle class struggling with high prices and stagnant wage growth while being fiscally prudent at the same time.
With this budget, as the President of India said, the government wishes to lift the economy out of the state of “policy paralysis” despite global concerns such as aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic and war-related uncertainties.
The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.3-6.8 percent in 2025-26, as per the Economic Survey tabled on Friday.
There is a host of the key officials who work overtime to shape up the country’s fiscal future at least for a year. These officials work behind the scenes to draft policies that impact every sector of the economy. Have a look at them.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Finance & Revenue Secretary
A 1987 batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, Tuhin Kanta Pandey is responsible for revenue generation through taxation while addressing demands for tax cuts and incentives. He is currently overseeing the revamp of income tax laws, which may be introduced in the upcoming parliamentary session.
V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser
As the Chief Economic Adviser, Nageswaran is tasked with analyzing the country’s economic health and proposing reforms to boost growth. He played a key role in preparing the Economic Survey, which serves as the foundation for many budgetary decisions.
Manoj Govil, Secretary, Department of Expenditure
A 1991 batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Manoj Govil plays a crucial role in managing government spending. His responsibilities include subsidy rationalization, funding centrally sponsored schemes, and improving public expenditure efficiency. Balancing welfare spending with fiscal discipline remains one of his primary challenges.
Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs
A 1987 batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre, Ajay Seth heads the Department of Economic Affairs. He has been instrumental in maintaining macroeconomic stability and balancing fiscal consolidation with growth-oriented policies. His department also plays a key role in shaping economic policies amid global financial uncertainties.
M Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services
A 1993 batch IAS officer of the Tripura cadre, M Nagaraju oversees the Department of Financial Services, ensuring the smooth flow of credit, regulating fintech companies, and expanding the insurance sector. His role is critical in maintaining financial sector stability.
Arunish Chawla, Secretary, DIPAM & DPE
A 1992 batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, Arunish Chawla leads the government’s disinvestment and asset monetization efforts. He played a significant role in the strategic sale of IDBI Bank and other state-run enterprises while working on asset monetization plans to generate revenue for public spending.
These officials, working tirelessly behind the scenes, ensure that India’s budget is not just an annual financial statement but a roadmap for the nation’s economic future. Their expertise and decision-making shape policies that impact every sector, from taxation and public spending to investment and economic stability.
The Gujarat government on Saturday (01.02.2025) promoted four IAS officers of the 2000 batch to the Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) Pay Scale (Level 15 in the Pay Matrix) in the rank of Principal Secretary.
The promoted officers are:
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