In a major bureaucratic reshuffle within the Finance Ministry, the government has reassigned Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, to head the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). This comes just two weeks after his appointment as Revenue Secretary. Tuhin Kanta Pandey, a senior IAS officer from the Odisha cadre, has been moved from DIPAM to take charge as the new Revenue Secretary.
The reshuffle, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), comes at a critical time with the Union Budget for 2025-26 less than a month away.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey: From DIPAM to Revenue Secretary
Tuhin Kanta Pandey, a 1987-batch IAS officer, has been the longest-serving Secretary of DIPAM, holding the position since October 2019. In September 2024, he was elevated to Finance Secretary, a role traditionally assigned to the senior-most secretary in the Finance Ministry.
Pandey is widely respected for his contributions to economic reforms during his tenure at DIPAM. He played a pivotal role in finalizing the sale of Air India and oversaw critical asset management initiatives. With a Master’s degree in economics and an MBA, Pandey has consistently delivered on high-profile projects and will now bring his expertise to the Revenue Department.
Arunish Chawla Takes Over DIPAM
Arunish Chawla, the newly-appointed DIPAM Secretary, is a 1992-batch IAS officer known for his extensive experience in economic and administrative roles. Before his short stint as Revenue Secretary, Chawla served as Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers since November 2023.
Chawla will also hold additional responsibilities as Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises, a position previously managed by Pandey. Additionally, he will continue as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture until further orders or the appointment of a regular incumbent.
Context of the Reshuffle
The reshuffle follows the departure of Sanjay Malhotra, the previous Revenue Secretary, who was appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in December 2024. Chawla was initially appointed as Revenue Secretary on December 25, 2024, before being reassigned to DIPAM.
Significance of the Changes
The reassignment of roles in the Finance Ministry comes at a crucial juncture, as the government prepares for the presentation of the Union Budget for 2025-26. The changes aim to bring experienced officers into key positions to ensure smooth functioning and effective policymaking.
Pandey’s deep knowledge of financial asset management and Chawla’s expertise in economics and administration are expected to strengthen the Ministry’s leadership. The public and stakeholders will closely observe how these seasoned bureaucrats manage their new responsibilities in the lead-up to the budget and beyond.
