The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved 10 overseas appointments to multilateral institutions and Indian diplomatic missions, as part of the Centre's efforts to strengthen India's presence in key global economic, financial and strategic forums. Issued through Order No. 4/2/2026-FA(UN) dated August 5, 2026, these appointments represent a significant expansion of India's global representation across international organizations. The newly appointed officers will represent India at institutions such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Trade Organization (WTO) and the SAARC Secretariat, while others have been posted to Indian Embassies in Tokyo, Rome and Washington DC.
The ACC has approved five appointments at the Joint Secretary level, with notable appointments including Baldeo Purushartha (IAS:2002:Punjab), currently Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, who has been appointed Senior Adviser to the Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. He will succeed Ponnuraj V. (IAS:2000:Karnataka) and will serve for three years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders. Rahul Jain (IAS:2005:Madhya Pradesh), currently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has been appointed Senior Adviser to the Executive Director (India) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. He will replace Anand Singh (IAS:2000:Kerala) and will serve for three years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders. Brij Mohan Mishra (IAS:2008:AGMUT), Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been appointed Minister (Economic and Commercial) at the Embassy of India in Tokyo under the Department of Economic Affairs, taking over from Debjani Chakrabarti (IAS:2002:Odisha) after completion of her tenure. Balamurugan D (IAS:2005:Bihar), currently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has been appointed Minister (Agriculture) at the Embassy of India in Rome under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, succeeding Jujjavarapu Balaji (IAS:2001:Assam-Meghalaya).
The ACC has approved a comprehensive series of overseas postings covering prestigious international organizations including the International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, World Trade Organization, SAARC Secretariat, and Indian missions abroad. All appointments have been approved on deputation for three years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders, with the officers' existing tenures under the Central Staffing Scheme being curtailed. The assignments cover key multilateral organizations including the International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and World Bank, along with Indian diplomatic missions across various countries. The latest appointments reinforce the government's strategy of placing experienced officers in key multilateral institutions and diplomatic missions to strengthen India's engagement on international economic, financial, trade, aviation and regional cooperation issues.
The ACC has approved five appointments at the Director and Deputy Secretary levels, with Kapil Patidar (IES:2011), Director in the Department of Economic Affairs, appointed as Adviser to the Executive Director (India), IMF, Washington DC. Gopalakrishnan Ganesan (IRAS:2009), Director in the Ministry of Steel, has been appointed to the post of Counsellor (Economic), Economic Wing, Embassy of India in Washington DC, succeeding Vivek Chaudhary (IES:2011). Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadhiya (IA&AS:2013), Joint Director at the National Testing Agency (NTA), has been appointed as First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO in Geneva under the Department of Commerce, replacing Ashish Chandolkar. Jivisha Joshi Gangopadhyay (IRTS:2013), Deputy Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), will serve as First Secretary (Legal) at the Permanent Mission of India to the WTO, Geneva, succeeding Nidhi Srivastava (IAS:2010:AGMUT). Subhash Kumar (IDAS:2011), Director in the Ministry of Defence, has been appointed Director at the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, replacing Bhavesh R. Trivedi (ITS:2000).
The ACC has approved a two-year extension in the tenure of Hemang Jani, who is currently serving as Senior Adviser to the Executive Director at the World Bank, Washington DC. His tenure has been extended beyond July 16, 2027, up to July 16, 2029, or until his successor assumes charge, whichever is earlier. This extension demonstrates the government's commitment to maintaining India's strong representation at the World Bank, ensuring continuity in India's engagement with international development finance institutions.
