Abhishek Dev IAS extension as Chairman- APEDA
Shri Abhishek Dev IAS (AGMUT 2007) presently Chairman- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Department of Commerce has been given extension for a period of one year beyond 08.02.2026 by The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Shri Abhishek Dev, IAS, is a senior Indian Administrative Service officer known for his strong academic foundation in economics, wide-ranging administrative exposure, and steady leadership across district, state, and central government assignments. An alumnus of St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, where he completed his B.A. (Honours) in Economics with First Class, and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics, from where he earned his M.A. in Economics with First Class, Shri Abhishek Dev brings analytical depth and policy insight to public administration.
Currently, he is serving as Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Holding a Joint Secretary–equivalent position since July 20, 2023, his tenure at APEDA reflects trust placed in his ability to steer India’s agri-export ecosystem. In this role, he is responsible for policy direction, export promotion, market access initiatives, and institutional strengthening aimed at enhancing India’s global footprint in agricultural and processed food exports. His leadership aligns closely with evolving trade priorities and is frequently referenced in Bureaucracy News.
Prior to assuming charge as Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev served as Director in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, from February 2021 to July 2023. This assignment placed him at the core of trade policy formulation, inter-ministerial coordination, and international commerce negotiations. His work during this period contributed to strengthening institutional frameworks supporting India’s export competitiveness.
His administrative journey also includes significant field and secretariat experience in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, where he held multiple key responsibilities. He served as Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD), Port Blair, overseeing public infrastructure development, followed by his role as Director (Census Operations) under the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. This dual exposure to infrastructure administration and national statistical operations highlights his ability to manage both execution-oriented and data-driven governance functions. Concurrently, he also served as Deputy Commissioner, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, handling district administration and land revenue management.
Earlier, Shri Abhishek Dev held several important assignments in Delhi, including Deputy Commissioner (Land Revenue) and Additional Commissioner (Finance). These roles involved urban governance, revenue administration, and financial oversight in one of the country’s most complex administrative environments, further sharpening his policy and managerial capabilities.
His cadre experience in Arunachal Pradesh was equally diverse. He served as Deputy Commissioner, managing district administration in challenging terrain, and later handled portfolios such as Secretary (Law and Justice & Elections) and Special Secretary (Energy/Power). These assignments exposed him to constitutional processes, electoral administration, and the strategic power sector—critical areas within the Indian Bureaucracy framework.
At the early stage of his career, Shri Abhishek Dev served in Chandigarh, where he held positions including Joint Secretary (Home Department), Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and Joint Director (Rural Development). These grassroots and mid-level administrative roles provided him with hands-on exposure to law and order, rural development programmes, and district-level governance, forming a strong base for his later leadership roles.
From his initial training in Pondicherry and Chandigarh to his current central assignment, Shri Abhishek Dev’s career trajectory reflects steady progression, intellectual rigour, and administrative versatility. His blend of academic excellence, district administration experience, and central policy exposure positions him among officers who effectively bridge implementation and policy-making.
Widely tracked under Top Indian Bureaucracy News, his career exemplifies the modern civil servant’s role in navigating complex governance challenges. According to indianbureaucracy.com, Shri Abhishek Dev continues to play a significant role in shaping trade, export promotion, and administrative reform, contributing meaningfully to India’s evolving governance and economic landscape.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Shri Abhishek Dev the very best.