TV Somanathan Appointed as India's New Cabinet Secretary

Appointment and Transition

• TV Somanathan, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, has been appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary of India.
• Somanathan succeeds Rajiv Gauba, a 1982-batch IAS officer from the Jharkhand cadre, who served as Cabinet Secretary for an unprecedented five-year term.
• Somanathan's appointment is effective from August 30, 2024, for a two-year tenure.
• Prior to this, Somanathan was serving as the Finance Secretary in the Department of Expenditure.
• Somanathan will first take on the role of Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat before officially assuming the Cabinet Secretary position.

Somanathan's Background and Experience

• Somanathan is a highly qualified officer, holding a Ph.D. in Economics from Calcutta University and professional qualifications as a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, and Company Secretary.
• He has held significant positions at the central and state government levels, including in the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and the World Bank.
• In Tamil Nadu, Somanathan has served in key roles such as Managing Director of the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation and Secretary to the Chief Minister.
• Somanathan has also been the Expenditure Secretary and the Finance Secretary, making him one of the most influential bureaucrats in the Finance Ministry.

Somanathan's Achievements and Contributions

• As Finance Secretary, Somanathan has quietly pushed for policy changes that improved fiscal efficiency and transparency.
• He has played a crucial role in designing various Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the government's economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Somanathan's fiscal prudence and focus on productive public expenditure have helped maintain India's growth momentum.
• He has been instrumental in eliminating hidden subsidies and bringing all government expenditures "above the line" to reveal the real fiscal deficit.

Longest-Serving Cabinet Secretary and the Role

• Rajiv Gauba, the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, served an unprecedented five-year term, surpassing the previous record of four years and 79 days set by Pradeep Kumar Sinha.
• The Cabinet Secretary is the highest-ranking civil servant in India, heading the Cabinet Secretariat and serving as the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board.
• The Cabinet Secretariat is a crucial administrative body that facilitates smooth functioning and coordination among various ministries and departments.
• As the new Cabinet Secretary, Somanathan will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of government policies and ensuring seamless interdepartmental coordination.