India’s 10 Most Powerful Bureaucrats
India is one of the world’s most successful and powerful democracies. Our democracy relies on its extensive bureaucratic framework for its functioning. Let’s us take a look at India’s 10 most powerful bureaucrats. They are responsible for shaping the present and future of our nation. All of them are highly efficient hard working professionals in the area of their expertise. Another thing in common in these elite class of bureaucrats is that they UPSC examination. Most of them have an excellent service record with a long tenure as IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS officers.
1.Ajit Doval
National Security Adviser
Ajit Doval is the most powerful bureaucrat in India. He is the super advisor to PM of India on all defence and security-related issues. He is also PM Modis single-window clearance on all security issues (military to nuclear to cyber). He is the only IPS officer in India to receive the President’s Medal in just six years of service (around 17 years in normal cases.)
He is the super boss of all three intelligence agencies-the Research and Analysis Wing, Intelligence Bureau and National Technical Research Organisation. He was the mastermind behind offensive-defence strategy against Pakistan as a response to the Pathankot incident. (Surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 29 last year).
In June 2014, Doval played a crucial role in ensuring the secure return of 46 Indian nurses who were trapped in a hospital in Tikrit, Iraq. He was responsible for successfully terminating all 15 hijacking attempts of Indian Airlines aircraft (1971-1999).
During his term India conducted two cross-border surgical strikes – the Indian Air Force’s February 26,2019 Balakot strike and the Indian Army’s September 2016 retaliatory strikes post the Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir
The Government of India under Narendra Modi has reappointed Doval as National Security Advisor for period of 2019 to 2024 . His position is also upgraded from Minister of State (MoS) rank in NDA (2014-2019) to a Cabinet in recognition under BJP 2.0 . With this Ajit Doval became the first NSA to serve two consecutive terms.
2. Rajiv Gauba
Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Secretary is responsible for visualising and implementing the Prime Minister’s dreams. Thus it is one of the most desired positions coveted by IAS officers. He has replaced PK Sinha as India’s cabinet secretary under BJP 2.0.
He is 1982 Batch IAS Officer from Jharkhand Cadre, Working as Home Secretary of India before elevated to rank of Cabinet sceratry under BJP 2.0. He is a Patna Univeristy graduate with BSC (Physics).
Gauba also served as an adviser to an executive director in the International Monetary Fund, Washington Dc
3. Nripendra Misra
Principal Secretary to the PM
N Mishra was brought back after his retirement to the post of Principal secretary of Mr Narendra Modi. His service was so desirable that the Modi Government passed a special ordinance to bring him back on the platform. N. Misra now drives the Modi government from the PMO.
He is the taskmaster responsible for translating the prime minister’s vision into reality. Misra also keeps track of all the programmes and policies announced by Mr Modi. He is also responsible for laying the detailed roadmap before bureaucrats and cracks the whip on non-performing officials.
4. Pramod Kumar Mishra
Additional Principal Secretary to the PM
Pramod Kumar Mishra is one of the most loyal officers of the Modi’s army. He joined then Gujarat chief minister Modi as principal secretary in 2001. As Additional Principal Secretary to the PM, PK Misra is in charge of top bureaucratic and non-bureaucratic appointments in the PMO and PSUs.
He was responsible for dismantling the notorious and corrupt transfers-postings raj. He also changed empanelment norms with a modern HR selection process. His new norms reward efficiency and integrity, eliminate corruption and lethargy.
He played an important role in Gujarat’s development. He took on the Reliance Group in the 1990s over undue power concessions during his posting in the Gujarat Electricity Board.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has conferred Sasakawa Award 2019 for Disaster Risk Reduction to Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra.
The United Nations Sasakawa Award is the most prestigious international award in the area of Disaster Risk Management. The theme of the 2019 Sasakawa award was “Building Inclusive and Resilient Societies”. UNDRR received more than 61 nominations from 31 countries for the 2019 award.
5. Vinod Yadav
Chairman, Railway Board,
Vinod Yadav replaced Ashwani Lohani as chief of railway borad in December 2018. Yadav is post graduate in Business Administration (Technology Management) and has a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, he holds vast experience in the fields of Project Management
He will continue the upgradation tasks related to safety, Speed and Profitablity along with realising PM Modi’s dream Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project by 2023.
He is giving his best to reform India’s oldest bureaucracy created during British Raj i.e. the railway board.
6. Subash Chandra Garg
Finance Secretary
In March 2019, The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has designated Subash garg as the Finance Secretary under Government of India. He Replaced Shakti Kanta Das who is elevated the Rank of RBI Governor .
Subhash Garg is a 1983 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre. He was working as the Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs before becoming Finance Secretary.
He has also served as an Executive Director in the World Bank, Wasshinton DC.
As Indian Economy is showing declining trends , His Period would be full of economic reforms if we expect revival in Demand and Investment in the country
7. Vijay Keshav Gokhle
Foreign Secretary of India
Gokhale is an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1981 batch.
Gokhale has served as the Indian ambassador to China. Gokhale was the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia from January 2010 to October 2013
Gokhale will serve a two-year tenure until January 2020.
He has played a key role in resolving 73 days long standoff at Doklam Plateau between armies of India and China.
He will prepare the ground for the visit of king Abdullah II of jordan , Indian PM’s visits to Palestine, Oman, and The UAE . Having expertise in East Asia Gokhle would have to boost ties with Japan and South Korea.
8. AMITABH KANT
CEO, NITI Aayog
As the CEO of NITI Aooyog, Kant is responsible for troubleshooting all major development schemes. He is responsible for the delivery of the centre’s schemes. Kant coordinates PM’s various flagship schemes. He is also tasked with India’s overall development and infrastructural overhaul.
He is IAS Officer of 1980 batch from Kerala Cadre
Kant’s team spearheaded the initial ad campaigns for the Unified Payments Interface, BHIM. He is also recognised due to initiatives like Make in India and Startup India.
Under his leadership, the NITI Aayog is playing a significant role in various institutional reforms. For eg. dissolution of the Medical Council of India and overhaul of India’s medical and health sector.
He is also tipped to become the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
9. Ajay Bhushan Pandey
Revenue Secretary
He is a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Maharashtra cadre. He is also the current chief executive officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and of GSTN, Goods and Services Tax Network.
He is a graduate (BTech) in Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He also has Postgraduate (MS) and Doctorate (PhD) degrees in computer science from the University of Minnesota.
Optimizing GSTIN, Anti Profiteering clause , and Implementation of Direct Tax Code would be the priority for Mr Pandey.
10. Sh. Tarun Bajaj and Sh. Arvind Kumar Sharma
Additional Secretaries, Personnel, PMO
Arvind Kumar Sharma is IAS officer of 1988 batch from Gujarat Cadre. He was considered Right Hand of modi in Gujarat
Tarun Bajaj ia a 1988 batch IAS officer from Haryana. He was serving as joint secretary in department of economic affairs in Union ministry of finance.
He is the second Haryana cadre IAS officer to have been picked for PMO. The first one was Chhatar Singh
As evident from this list of India’s top bureaucrats, once selected in UPSC civil services exam there are countless opportunities. Selected candidates can reach up to to the ranks of cabinet secretary, Finance secretary, foreign secretary etc. Thus in this aspect UPSC Civil Service examination is unique. It provides excellent career advancement opportunities in diverse fields and department that none other can provide.
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