TV Somanathan to assume service from August 30

TV Somanathan will hold his position for 2 years

On August 10, the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet had appointed 1987-batch IAS officer TV Somanathan as India’s Cabinet Secretary. He will hold his position for a period of two years, beginning on August 30.

Somanathan, currently holding the position of Finance Secretary of India, will act as Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat from when he starts the role until he becomes the Cabinet Secretary.

Also read: Sarada Muraleedharan appointed Kerala’s Chief Secretary

Somanathan will succeed 1982-batch officer Rajiv Gauba

Somanathan will succeed Rajiv Gauba, a 1982-batch officer, who has been in the position since August 30, 2019.

Somanathan is a high-ranking Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre of 1987 and was scheduled to retire in May 2025. Before becoming Finance Secretary, he served in key roles at both state and central levels, specializing in public finance, economic policy, and administrative reforms.

Also read: N Muruganandam appointed Tamil Nadu’s new Chief Secretary

Somanathan has previously worked as a Joint Secretary in PMO

Somanathan has worked as a Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, as well as serving as Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs and Ministry of Corporate Affairs, among other positions. He possesses a PhD in Economics and is additionally certified as a Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant. He played a key role in shaping the Union Budget and guiding fiscal policy, particularly in difficult economic conditions.

Somanathan previously held several high-ranking positions in the Tamil Nadu state government, such as Deputy Secretary (Budget), Joint Vigilance Commissioner, Executive Director Metrowater, Secretary to Chief Minister, and Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner of Commercial Taxes. In his role as the founder MD of CMRL, he was in charge of securing financial closure and granting the first tenders for executing the Rs.14,600 crore Chennai Metro Rail Project.

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