Rajit Punhani is a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre, currently serving as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. He assumed charge on 1 July 2025.
Education & Background
Rajit Punhani holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from the University of Delhi, where he graduated with First Class honours. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, also with First Class distinction.
Career and Appointments
State-Level Assignments (Bihar)
Punhani has served in a variety of administrative roles in the state of Bihar. His early career included assignments as Deputy Development Commissioner in Monghyr and Deoghar, and as District Magistrate in Jamui and Buxar. He held leadership roles in departments such as Agriculture, Education, Health, and Finance, and served as Commercial Tax Commissioner and Finance Secretary in the state government.
Central Government Appointments
He transitioned to central deputation in 2002, joining the Cabinet Secretariat as Deputy Secretary and later as Director. He subsequently held senior posts in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Labour & Employment, including serving as Financial Adviser. He was appointed as Chief Vigilance Officer at NTPC and later served in the same capacity in other public sector undertakings.
Punhani also worked as Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to national-level health system financing and emergency response. He served in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs prior to his appointment as Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
As Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajit Punhani is focused on advancing India’s skilling ecosystem to meet the goals of employability, economic productivity, and entrepreneurship. His work supports initiatives aligned with the Skill India Mission and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
In earlier roles, he contributed to several major national initiatives, including:
- Designing and implementing pension and insurance schemes for the unorganized workforce
- Overseeing GST implementation and indirect tax reforms
- Leading digital and social sector innovations, including a maternal health messaging platform
- Representing India in international forums such as the International Labour Organization and the European Union
He has also held leadership positions in major public sector undertakings and statutory bodies such as NTPC, Power Grid Corporation, and the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
Summary
Rajit Punhani is a seasoned civil servant with extensive experience in governance, fiscal management, and public policy implementation. His current role as Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship places him at the forefront of India’s efforts to equip its workforce with relevant skills and promote entrepreneurship. His prior work spans both state and central levels, reflecting a broad and impactful administrative career.