Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava IAS (AGMUT 1993) presently Secretary- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been given the additional charge as Secretary- Ministry of Ayush from 15.11.2025 to 23.11.2025 during the period of absence on leave of Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha.
Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, IAS, is an accomplished civil servant known for her clarity of purpose, disciplined administrative approach, and a career marked by diverse responsibilities across sectors. A 1995-batch officer, she possesses an impressive academic background rooted in Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College, where she completed her B.Sc. and postgraduate studies in Physics with First Division—demonstrating intellectual rigour that later shaped her meticulous style of public administration.
Over nearly three decades, Ms. Srivastava has served with distinction in the Government of India and various union territories, taking on roles that reflect her versatility, commitment to service delivery, and capacity for handling sensitive portfolios. Her rise to the position of Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in 2024 stands as a testament to her steady professional growth. As Secretary, she has been entrusted with steering national health policies and strengthening institutional systems—responsibilities requiring both administrative finesse and a deep understanding of public welfare challenges. Her leadership has often been noted in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News for its balanced, outcome-oriented approach.
Before taking charge as Secretary, she served as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Health Secretary, contributing to policy continuity and preparedness. Preceding this, her tenure as Special Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) highlighted her ability to manage high-level coordination, governance reforms, and strategic administrative tasks at the nation’s highest executive office. These roles underscore the trust reposed in her judgment and professionalism.
Ms. Srivastava’s earlier assignments in the Ministry of Home Affairs as Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary further strengthened her experience in internal security, disaster management, and administrative oversight. Her contributions during this period reflect a calm, methodical administrative style—traits that have earned her respect across the Indian Bureaucracy ecosystem.
At the cadre level, she has held key positions in Delhi, Goa, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. As Principal Secretary and Secretary (Education) in the Government of NCT of Delhi, she worked on educational reforms and human resource development. Her tenure as Deputy Commissioner, South Delhi and in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi provided critical field experience in urban governance and public service delivery.
Her earlier roles in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, including Commissioner-cum-Secretary for major departments such as Power, Civil Aviation, PWD, and Revenue, enriched her understanding of administration in geographically sensitive territories. She has also held leadership positions in industrial development corporations in Goa and Daman & Diu, reflecting her strong grasp of economic and infrastructural issues.
The Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, serves as the administrative head responsible for guiding India’s traditional medicine systems—Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy—towards greater global recognition and scientific validation. The Secretary oversees policy formulation, regulatory strengthening, research expansion, educational standards, and international collaborations that promote Ayush systems as credible, evidence-based healthcare alternatives.
A key part of the role is coordinating with autonomous bodies such as CCRAS, CCRH, CCRUM, NMPB, and national institutes to ensure uniform quality, modern research practices, and capacity building. The Secretary also facilitates integration of Ayush with public health programmes, enhancing accessibility and wellness outreach across India.
Frequently featured in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News, the Secretary’s work supports India’s vision of positioning Ayush as a pillar of holistic healthcare. With responsibility spanning governance, global partnerships, and sectoral growth, the Secretary plays a vital role within the broader framework.
Across all postings—from district administration to central ministries—Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava has displayed a steady commitment to integrity, clarity, and result-oriented governance. Her long and distinguished career exemplifies the values of public service while subtly reinforcing the high standards expected within Top Indian Bureaucracy News circles.
Indian Bureaucracy News Update wishes Ms Punya Salila Srivastava the very best.