Born: 10 May 1965, Tamil Nadu
Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1987 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre
Current Position: Cabinet Secretary of India (since 30 August 2024)
🎓 Education & Qualifications
Dr. T. V. Somanathan holds a distinguished academic background:
- Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Calcutta
- Master’s in Economics and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Panjab University
- Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
- Fellow of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India
- Fellow of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India
- Also qualified in the US Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) programs
🏛️ Civil Service Career
Early IAS Career
Dr. Somanathan joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1987, securing the second rank in the Civil Services Examination. In Tamil Nadu, he served in key positions including:
- Secretary to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
- Managing Director of Chennai Metro Rail Limited
- Commissioner of Commercial Taxes
- Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department
International Experience
Between 1996 and 2015, Dr. Somanathan worked at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., where he served as Financial Economist and later as Director, Corporate Affairs. He was one of the youngest professionals globally to be appointed a sector manager at the Bank.
Central Government Roles
Returning to India, he took up several important assignments at the national level:
- Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office
- Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance (2019–2021)
- Finance Secretary of India (2021–2024)
During his tenure in the Ministry of Finance, he played a pivotal role in reforms aimed at fiscal transparency, capital expenditure management, and post-COVID economic recovery.
📌 Cabinet Secretary of India
Dr. Somanathan was appointed the 33rd Cabinet Secretary of India on 30 August 2024. As the topmost civil servant in the country, he is responsible for:
- Coordinating between ministries and departments
- Advising the Prime Minister and Union Council of Ministers
- Leading the Cabinet Secretariat and civil services as their administrative head
- Ensuring implementation of key government policies and priorities
He succeeded Rajiv Gauba in this role and became only the second Finance Secretary in independent India to be elevated to the position of Cabinet Secretary.
📚 Publications and Recognition
Dr. Somanathan is also an accomplished scholar and writer. He has authored three books and over 80 published articles and papers on public finance, economics, governance, and administration.
He is widely respected for his integrity, academic depth, administrative acumen, and reform-driven leadership. His work has consistently reflected a blend of technical expertise and practical governance insight.