NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday appointed Govind Mohan, who is currently Secretary in the Culture Ministry as the new Union Home Secretary.
As per the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Govind Mohan’s appointment as Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of Home Affairs has been approved with immediate effect. Mohan, a Sikkim cadre IAS officer of 1989 batch, will take over as Home Secretary after completion of current incumbent Ajay Bhalla’s tenure on August 22, the ACC order said further.
Bhalla, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Assam Meghalaya cadre, was on August 4, 2023, given an extension up to August 22, 2024 in relaxation of FR 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All-India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 19. He had first assumed charge as Home Secretary in August 2019, and remained on the key post for five years.
Mohan, who turns 59 next month, takes charge at a time when Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir. The Home Secretary is considered the second-most prestigious and important posting after the Cabinet Secretary. TV Somanathan was appointed Cabinet Secretary last week. An electrical engineer from BHU-IIT Varanasi, Mohan has been Culture Secretary since October 2021 and had been in the Home Ministry earlier too as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary.
Belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Mohan has been on central deputation since August 2017. A major Secretary-level reshuffle is expected soon as even the post of Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training has been lying vacant, with Bhalla holding additional charge of the ministry.