Panjab University alumnus Somanathan appointed as new Cabinet Secretary

PTC News Desk: TV Somanathan, the Union Finance and Expenditure Secretary, was named the new Cabinet Secretary on Saturday. On August 30, he will assume leadership following the five-year term of outgoing Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, who would become the longest-serving Cabinet Secretary ever.

Somanathan, an IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre who was appointed in 1987, was chosen as Gauba's replacement by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which is presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the ACC, Somanathan will assume leadership on August 30 and serve a two-year term. Somanathan, a Chandigarh native and graduate of Punjab University, is an Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat until August 30.

Somanathan was a Director at the World Bank from 2011 to 2015, having previously served as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the PMO (2015–2017). He was appointed by the IAS to this position. He has an executive development program diploma from Harvard Business School, an MA and a BCom from Panjab University, Chandigarh, and a PhD in economics from Calcutta University.

Multiplely awarded academically, Somanathan joined the IAS in 1987 and achieved rank two overall in India. Being the best IAS probationer in his batch earned him a gold medal. Somanathan held a number of high-level posts in the Tamil Nadu government before taking on the role of Finance and Expenditure Secretary. These positions included Deputy Secretary (Budget), Joint Vigilance Commissioner, Executive Director, Metrowater, Secretary to the CM, Additional Chief Secretary, and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes.

In his capacity as the first managing director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited, he oversaw the completion of financial closure and the issuance of the first tenders for the Rs 14,600 crore Chennai Metro Rail Project.

Rajeev Guaba, the outgoing Cabinet Secretary and primary architect of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, was given a third extension in his position as the top bureaucrat last year. Gauba will become the longest-serving Cabinet Secretary when his term finishes on August 30 after serving for five years.

YN Sukthankar served as India's second Cabinet Secretary for four years and 78 days after independence. For four years and 79 days, PK Sinha, Gauba's predecessor, held the position of Cabinet Secretary.

Retirement Benefits and Death-Cum-Services for All of India According to Rules-1958, the Center may extend the service of officers holding the posts of Cabinet Secretary, Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Secretary, R&AW, and Director of the CBI for as long as it thinks appropriate if it is essential in the public interest.

The tenure of Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla expires on August 22, 2024, and a new Home Secretary is also expected to be appointed.