Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle: Atish Chandra to Lead Agriculture Ministry
The Government of India has announced a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, appointing Atish Chandra, a 1994-batch Bihar-cadre Indian Administrative Service officer, as the new Agriculture Secretary. This crucial appointment was formalized through an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Thursday.
The decision received final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the highest body for such appointments in the Indian government. Chandra, who currently serves as Special Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, will transition to his new role in early 2026.
Transition Timeline and Responsibilities
According to the official notification, Chandra has been designated as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare with effect from February 1, 2026. He will officially assume the position of Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, upon the retirement of the current incumbent Devesh Chaturvedi on February 28, 2026.
Chandra's appointment comes after he was empanelled as Secretary earlier this year, marking an important milestone in his bureaucratic career. Chaturvedi, whom he will replace, had been serving as Agriculture Secretary since August last year.
Widespread Administrative Changes
The ACC also approved several other key appointments as part of this comprehensive bureaucratic reshuffle:
- Manoj Joshi, a 1989-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer, appointed as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals
- V Vidyavathi, a 1991-batch Karnataka-cadre IAS officer, transferred as Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
- Srivatsa Krishna, a 1994-batch Karnataka-cadre IAS officer, appointed as new Tourism Secretary
- Neeraj Mittal, a 1992-batch Tamil Nadu-cadre IAS officer, appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
- Sunil Paliwal, a 1993-batch Tamil Nadu-cadre IAS officer, appointed as Chairman of Inland Waterways Authority of India
These appointments reflect the government's ongoing efforts to optimize administrative efficiency and ensure experienced leadership across key ministries.
Significance of the Agriculture Portfolio
The appointment of a new Agriculture Secretary holds particular importance given the critical role of the agriculture sector in India's economy. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare oversees policies and programs affecting millions of farmers across the country.
Chandra's extensive experience in the Prime Minister's Office is expected to bring valuable insights to his new role, especially in implementing central government initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and supporting farmer welfare.
The smooth transition planned between February 1 and February 28, 2026, will ensure continuity in the department's functioning during this leadership change.
