Shri Rajit Punhani IAS (Bihar 1991) has been empanelled as Secretary at the Centre.
Shri Rajit Punhani has recently been empanelled as Secretary to the Government of India—an honor befitting his decades of exemplary service. With a solid academic foundation, Shri Punhani earned his B.A. (Honours) in Economics with First Class from Delhi University, followed by a First Class MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. His intellectual rigor and professional excellence have been consistently reflected throughout his career.
Beginning his administrative journey in the mid-1990s, Shri Punhani served as Deputy Development Commissioner in Monghyr and Deoghar, where he laid the groundwork for effective district administration. He soon rose to the rank of District Magistrate in Jamui and Buxar, where his hands-on leadership and innovative approach to governance earned accolades. From 2000 to 2001, as Managing Director in the Agriculture Department of Bihar, he played a pivotal role in advancing rural development and agricultural reform.
He further took charge as Director in the Education Department and as Additional Secretary in the Health Department of Bihar, emphasizing systemic improvements in human development sectors. His transition to the Cabinet Secretariat at the Centre, first as Deputy Secretary and then Director (2002–2010), marked his entry into strategic policy-making, where he contributed significantly to high-level governance and inter-ministerial coordination.
Between 2010 and 2012, Shri Punhani served as Commercial Tax Commissioner and Secretary in the Finance Department of Bihar, where he introduced key fiscal reforms. His tenure as Secretary in the Cooperation, Social Welfare, and Finance Departments further demonstrated his commitment to inclusive governance and social justice.
In 2014, he returned to the Centre as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, followed by a significant stint in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, where he contributed to vital labor reforms and employment strategies. His appointment as Chief Vigilance Officer at NTPC (2018–2019) showcased his dedication to ethical governance and transparency in public sector enterprises.
From 2020 to 2022, as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser to the Ministries of Home Affairs and Health & Family Welfare, he played a key role in resource allocation and fiscal planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. His brief tenure as Special Secretary & Financial Adviser at the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2022 was followed by his role as Secretary Equivalent in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (Rajya Sabha), where he ensured seamless coordination between the executive and legislative branches.
In July 2025, Shri Punhani was appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, where he now leads efforts to empower India’s youth through vocational training, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. This appointment crowns a career that has blended financial prudence, administrative insight, and visionary leadership across sectors.
Shri Rajit Punhani’s career reflects a rare blend of grassroots experience and policy-level mastery. His elevation to Secretary at the Centre is a testament to his enduring commitment, strategic thinking, and the high regard in which he is held within the civil service. His journey continues to inspire a new generation of public administrators and nation-builders.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Shri Rajit Punhani the very best.
