Top bureaucracy set for major reshuffle as Modi returns with bigger mandate

Talk of a new national security advisor at the Prime Minister's Office is also gaining momentum

The Narendra Modi government has started working on the names for a bureaucratic reshuffle in key ministries and departments even before the new council of ministers takes charge. 

As Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha’s term comes to an end on June 14, the government’s priority is to find a replacement for the 1977 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer. Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, a 1982 batch Jharkhand cadre officer, appears to be a strong contender for the top bureaucrat’s job. Sinha, who was appointed cabinet secretary in May 2015, has already got two extensions.

Talk of a new national security advisor (NSA) at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is also gaining momentum. If 74-year-old Ajit Doval, an IPS officer of 1968 batch from Kerala, moves out to take up another crucial role, the buzz in the corridors of power is that the government could consider former foreign secretary S Jaishankar, who now works with the Tatas as global corporate affairs president, for the NSA's job. However, a senior government official said the 64-year-old 1977 batch IFS officer's recent corporate background may be a hurdle in appointing him to a sensitive position.

The term of Principal Secretary to the PM Nripendra Misra, who was at the centre of policy decisions in the past five years, may be renewed, sources in the know said. It is not known whether the 1967 batch UP cadre IAS will again get a term, which is co-terminus with the PM, or it will be for a shorter duration in case the government decides not to have bureaucrats beyond the age of 75 years. If Misra’s tenure is for a shorter duration, Additional Principal Secretary to the PM P K Mishra (1972 batch Gujarat cadre), who’s 70, may be elevated as Principal Secretary to the PM. 

There’s also a buzz that NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant (1980 batch Kerala cadre) may move to the PMO soon.

Another key post is falling vacant as Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra, a 1982 batch West Bengal cadre IAS, is set to retire at the end of this month. Among the prominent names doing the rounds as a possible choice to replace Mitra are three Bihar cadre IAS officers — Environment Secretary C K Mishra, Industry Secretary Ramesh Abhishek and Rural Development Secretary Amarjeet Sinha.

There are indications of significant bureaucratic changes in the finance ministry as well.

Gujarat Chief Secretary J N Singh, a 1983 batch IAS, is also being seen as a contender for a top bureaucratic post at the Centre, sources pointed out. Lt Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal (1969 batch IAS) is another name doing the rounds for a Central posting. 

Among others who are expected to get larger responsibilities include the man who drove the Swachh Bharat campaign, Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary Parameswaran Iyer, a 1981 batch UP cadre officer; and Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas, a 1983 batch IAS from the Orissa cadre.