New Delhi: Dr. T.V. Somanathan today officially assumed the role of Cabinet Secretary in the Government of India, following the retirement of Shri Rajiv Gauba. A distinguished officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Dr. Somanathan belongs to the Tamil Nadu cadre of the 1987 batch and brings an extensive portfolio of experience and academic credentials to this critical role.
Dr. Somanathan holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Calcutta University and has completed the Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School. He is also a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, and Company Secretary, showcasing a strong foundation in both academic and professional domains.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Somanathan has held several key positions at the central government level. His tenure includes pivotal roles such as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Notably, he was deputed as Director of Corporate Affairs at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where he brought his expertise to the global stage.
Before his current appointment, Dr. Somanathan served as the Finance Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Expenditure, where he was instrumental in managing India’s financial policies and expenditure framework. His work in these roles earned him a reputation for precision, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the country’s economic landscape.
Dr. Somanathan’s contributions extend to his home state of Tamil Nadu, where he has held several significant positions, including Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner of Commercial Taxes. He played a crucial role in the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and was the founding Managing Director of the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, where he was responsible for achieving financial closure and initiating the tenders for the Chennai Metro Rail Project.
His international experience is equally impressive. Dr. Somanathan joined the World Bank in 1996 through its prestigious Young Professionals Program, serving as a Financial Economist in the East Asia & Pacific Regional Vice Presidency. He became one of the youngest Sector Managers at the World Bank when he was appointed Manager of the Budget Policy Group. Between 2011 and 2015, he served as the Director of the World Bank, further honing his expertise in global finance and development.
An accomplished academic, Dr. Somanathan has published over 80 papers and articles in reputable journals and newspapers on economics, finance, and public policy. He is also the author of three books, published by McGraw Hill and Cambridge/Oxford University Press, contributing significantly to the discourse on these subjects.
As Dr. Somanathan steps into his new role as Cabinet Secretary, he is expected to bring his vast experience and strategic vision to the highest echelons of India’s administration, guiding the nation through its economic and administrative challenges with the same precision and commitment that has marked his career.
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