Hari Ranjan Rao is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1994 batch, belonging to the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He currently serves as Secretary, Department of Sports, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He assumed charge of the post in July 2025, following a brief tenure as Officer on Special Duty in the same department.
Education & Background
While specific details regarding his academic qualifications are not publicly available, Hari Ranjan Rao has a long record of service in public administration. His extensive career has included leadership roles both at the state level and within the central government, where he has handled responsibilities spanning governance, digital infrastructure, and policy formulation.
Career and Appointments
Prior to his appointment as Sports Secretary, Rao served as Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, contributing to policy initiatives with national scope. In April 2025, he was elevated to the rank of Secretary and subsequently appointed to head the Department of Sports.
He officially took over as Secretary on 1 July 2025, tasked with overseeing national sports development, organizational coordination, and preparations for major international events.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
As Secretary (Sports), Hari Ranjan Rao has introduced several structural and strategic measures:
- Directed National Sports Federations (NSFs) to finalize selection criteria for the 2026 Asian Games by 29 August 2025, aligning this deadline with National Sports Day.
- Participated in the Khelo Bharat Conclave, emphasizing long-term athlete development and structured planning across sports disciplines.
- Advocated the digital publication of Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) to improve transparency in athlete preparation and funding.
- Encouraged the formation of working groups focused on improving coaching standards, athlete support systems, and administrative efficiency in Indian sports governance.
Summary
Hari Ranjan Rao is an experienced and senior IAS officer with a distinguished record of service in both central and state governments. As Secretary of the Department of Sports, he plays a pivotal role in steering India’s sports development strategy, with a particular emphasis on transparent selection processes, strategic preparation for international competitions, and enhanced coordination between government and sports bodies.