Somanathan Appointed as India's New Cabinet Secretary | 13 Aug 2024

Source: IE

The Indian government has appointed TV Somanathan as the new Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Rajiv Gauba.

• Earlier as Finance Secretary, Somanathan was noted for his careful management of finances and contributed to Production Linked Incentive Schemes and initiatives like PM Garib Kalyan and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The Cabinet Secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in the Government of India, ex-officio chairman of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat. 
  • Appointed for a fixed two-year term, the Cabinet Secretary ranks eleventh in the Indian order of precedence and is directly accountable to the Prime Minister.
  • The Cabinet Secretary's tenure can be extended up to four years, with an additional extension of up to three months possible, as per the amended All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement-Benefits) Rules, 1958.
  • Facilitates government operations, provides secretarial support to Cabinet, coordinates inter-ministerial efforts, and resolves conflicts through committees.