Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle: Punya Salila Srivastava Named Health Secretary

Punya Salila Srivastava has been appointed as the new Health Secretary amid a major bureaucratic reshuffle. She will succeed Apurva Chandra on September 30. Other significant appointments include Rajesh Kumar Singh as the new Defence Secretary, Katikithala Srinivas as Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary, and Deepti Umashankar as Secretary to the President of India.

In a significant top-level bureaucratic reshuffle, Punya Salila Srivastava has been appointed as the new Health Secretary, replacing Apurva Chandra from September 30, as announced by the Centre on Friday.

Srivastava, currently serving as the Special Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, will initially assume the role of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, according to an order from the Personnel Ministry.

Other notable appointments include Rajesh Kumar Singh, who will succeed Aramane Giridhar as Defence Secretary post his superannuation on October 31, 2024. Additionally, Katikithala Srinivas has been named the next Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary, Deepti Umashankar will serve as the Secretary to the President of India, and Nagaraju Maddirala has been appointed as the new Financial Services Secretary, succeeding Vivek Joshi.

(With inputs from agencies.)