Amit Yadav is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1991 batch from the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre. He currently serves as Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. He assumed this position on 11 June 2024.
In addition to his primary responsibilities, he briefly held additional charge of Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) from 23 June to 2 July 2025.
Education & Background
Amit Yadav holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). His educational qualifications span science, law, and management, reflecting a multidisciplinary foundation for his administrative career.
Career and Appointments
Amit Yadav has served in various important positions at the central and state levels throughout his administrative career:
- He has worked as Joint Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications.
- He served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
- He was appointed as the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), where he led India’s global trade engagements.
- He has served as Chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
- In his cadre states and Union Territories, he held key administrative roles in Delhi, Goa, and Arunachal Pradesh.
He has represented India at international forums, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, where he chaired the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade. He also served as India’s lead negotiator for the India–Australia Free Trade Agreement signed in 2022.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
As Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Amit Yadav is responsible for advancing inclusive policies for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, senior citizens, victims of substance abuse, and other vulnerable groups.
One of the notable initiatives under his leadership has been the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme, which aims to build capacity among field-level functionaries to improve service delivery and responsiveness to public needs.
During his short tenure with additional charge of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, he ensured administrative continuity and upheld ongoing programs for disability inclusion.
Summary
Amit Yadav is a seasoned civil servant with expertise across trade policy, urban governance, legal frameworks, and social welfare. His career includes significant contributions in both domestic administration and international negotiations. As Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, he is at the helm of critical programs aimed at ensuring dignity, equity, and opportunity for India’s marginalized and disadvantaged communities.