Who Is TV Somanathan, IAS Officer Set To Replace Rajiv Gauba As Cabinet Secretary

New Cabinet Secretary Appointed: Senior IAS officer TV Somanathan was appointed the Cabinet Secretary on Saturday. He will take over the reigns from outgoing Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on August 30 this year. A 1987-batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, Somanathan is currently serving as Union Finance Secretary and Secretary, Expenditure.

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri T V Somanathan, IAS, as Cabinet Secretary with a tenure of two years from 30.08.2024," an official order read.

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also approved the appointment of Shri T V Somanathan, IAS as Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat from the date he joins the assignment till he takes over as Cabinet Secretary," it added.

Gauba assumed the charge of Cabinet Secretary five years ago on August 30, 2019. The Cabinet Secretary is the top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the central government.

WHO IS TV SOMANATHAN?

TV Somanathan is an IAS officer who joined service in 1987. He was awarded the Gold Medal for being the 'Best IAS Probationer' of his batch. Somanathan is presently the Union Finance Secretary. He served as a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs from 2010-11, and as a Joint Secretary/Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister from 2015 to 2017.

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Somanathan was the founder MD of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a joint venture between the Centre and the government of Tamil Nadu. During the stint, he awarded the initial tenders for implementing the Rs.14,600-crore Chennai Metro Rail Project.

The senior IAS officer has also been associated with the World Bank, which he joined through the Young Professionals Program, as Financial Economist in the East Asia & Pacific Regional Vice Presidency.

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In 2000, he became one of the youngest Sector Managers of the international financial institution when he was appointed Manager of the Budget Policy Group. In 2011, his services were sought by the body and he served as Director from 2011 to 2015.

(With inputs from agencies)