Sushil Kumar Lohani IAS empanelled as Secretary
Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani IAS (Odisha 1995) has been empanelled as Secretary at the Centre.
Sushil Kumar Lohani IAS: A Seasoned Administrator Advancing Rural Governance and Institutional Reform
Among senior civil servants contributing significantly to rural development and administrative governance in India, Sushil Kumar Lohani, an IAS officer of the 1995 batch (Odisha cadre), has built a distinguished career through a blend of technical expertise, policy insight, and extensive field experience. Over nearly three decades in public service, Shri Lohani has held key responsibilities in both state and central governments, working across sectors such as rural development, finance, elections administration, fertilizers, power, and labour.
Academically, Shri Lohani holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, graduating with first division, reflecting a strong technical foundation that later complemented his administrative career. He has also pursued advanced learning through professional certificate courses from leading global institutions. These include an Economics programme from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and a course in Information Technology from the University of Michigan. Such academic exposure has helped him maintain a forward-looking perspective, particularly in areas involving economic governance, digital administration, and public sector management.
Currently, Shri Lohani serves as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, where he is closely associated with policy initiatives aimed at strengthening rural governance institutions. The Ministry plays a critical role in empowering local self-government institutions and ensuring that development programmes reach grassroots communities effectively. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he also holds the position of Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry, reflecting the trust placed in his experience in financial and policy management.
Before moving to the central government, Shri Lohani held several senior positions in the Government of Odisha. He served as Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, where he worked on strengthening rural infrastructure and improving service delivery in water supply and sanitation systems. These sectors are fundamental to rural welfare and sustainable development, and his tenure contributed to enhancing administrative coordination between departments responsible for rural governance.
A particularly notable assignment in his state career was his role as Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha. In this capacity, he oversaw the conduct of elections in the state, ensuring the smooth functioning of one of the most complex democratic exercises in the world. Managing elections requires meticulous planning, coordination with multiple agencies, and strict adherence to constitutional and electoral guidelines, and Shri Lohani’s tenure demonstrated his administrative precision and organizational ability.
Earlier, he also served as Commissioner of Sales Tax and Principal Secretary, Excise Department in Odisha. These roles involved oversight of revenue administration, taxation systems, and regulatory frameworks. Officers working in such departments are tasked with ensuring transparency, compliance, and efficiency in public revenue management—an essential aspect of governance.
At the central level, Shri Lohani has held important assignments that broadened his administrative exposure. He served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Fertilizers under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, where he was associated with policy issues related to fertilizer supply, agricultural support systems, and subsidy management. Prior to that, he worked as Executive Director at the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, contributing to initiatives aimed at expanding power infrastructure and rural electrification across the country.
Another important central assignment in his career was his tenure as Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). In this role, he was associated with the administration of one of the largest social security organizations in the world, which manages retirement and provident fund benefits for millions of workers.
Shri Lohani’s early career in the IAS was marked by extensive field experience in district administration. He served as District Collector and District Magistrate of Sambalpur, Balangir, and Kendujhar, positions that placed him at the forefront of development administration, law and order management, and implementation of government schemes. These assignments are often considered the foundation of a civil servant’s administrative understanding, providing firsthand insight into public service delivery and grassroots governance.
His initial postings also included roles such as Municipal Commissioner of Cuttack, Mission Director in the Health and Family Welfare Department, and several positions in rural development administration. These early responsibilities helped shape his practical approach to governance and policy implementation.
Over the years, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani has built a reputation as a thoughtful and efficient administrator capable of managing complex institutional responsibilities. His career reflects a consistent engagement with sectors that directly affect public welfare, including rural development, elections management, infrastructure, and social security systems.
Profiles and developments concerning senior civil servants like him frequently appear in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News, reflecting the continuing evolution of governance in India. As often documented by indianbureaucracy.com, the professional journeys of experienced officers such as Shri Lohani provide valuable insight into how administrative leadership contributes to strengthening institutions and improving policy outcomes.
With his blend of technical education, administrative depth, and experience across multiple sectors, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani continues to play an important role in shaping rural governance and public administration in India.
Indian Bureaucracy News Network wishes Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani the very best.