New Delhi, March 2, 2026: In a major bureaucratic development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the empanelment of 41 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers for appointment to Secretary or equivalent-level posts in the Government of India. In addition, 28 officers have been empanelled for positions at the Additional Secretary or equivalent level, expanding the pool of senior bureaucrats eligible for central leadership roles.
The ACC’s decision, formalised through an official order, reflects routine administrative advancement and prepares senior civil servants for potential future postings at the highest echelons of the central administration. Empanelment does not guarantee an immediate posting but makes officers eligible to be appointed to head central ministries, departments, statutory bodies, and mission directorates.
Among those empanelled at the Secretary/Secretary-equivalent level are veteran bureaucrats from various cadre backgrounds, including officers from the 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995 batches. The list features names such as Keshav Kumar Pathak (BH cadre), S Gopalakrishnan (TN cadre), Surendra Kumar Bagde (MH cadre) and Rohit Kansal (AGMUT cadre), among others.
Separately, IAS officers such as Anju Sharma and D. Thara have been specifically highlighted for empanelment to Secretary/Secretary-equivalent posts. Additionally, senior officers including Arti Kanwar and Vijay Nehra have been empanelled for Additional Secretary level appointments, enabling them to serve in significant policy and administrative roles at the Centre.
Officials say these moves are part of a broader effort to strengthen the cadre management system and ensure a robust leadership pipeline for handling complex policy portfolios, governance challenges, and central oversight responsibilities. Empanelment of senior IAS officers is a key step in aligning administrative capability with national priorities as ministries prepare for strategic policy planning and implementation.