Sandeep Pondrik is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1993 batch, from the Bihar cadre, currently serving as Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India. He assumed charge of this position in August 2024.
Education & Background
Pondrik’s academic qualifications are not publicly detailed. His career reflects extensive expertise in industrial development, governance, and policy coordination at both state and national levels.
Career and Appointments
State Government Roles
Before joining the central government, Pondrik served as Additional Chief Secretary in the Industries Department of Bihar, where he was involved in industrial growth planning and investment promotion for the state. He also served as Advisor in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, demonstrating experience in cross-sectoral administration.
Secretary, Ministry of Steel
In August 2024, Pondrik was appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Steel, taking charge of one of India’s key industrial ministries at Udyog Bhawan. His appointment followed a cabinet-level approval process and a strategic review of the steel sector by senior officials.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
Since taking office, Sandeep Pondrik has emphasised:
- Achieving India’s ambitious target of 300 million tonnes of crude steel production by 2030, supported by expansion plans under various public and private sector projects
- Ensuring fair pricing and high quality in domestic steel production through enforcement of quality control orders and expanded coverage under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- Managing the government’s policy on safeguard duty, including a provisional tariff on steel imports to balance domestic industry protection and global trade obligations
- Promoting international collaboration, encouraging Indian steel firms to establish overseas operations, engage in technology-sharing, and secure raw material supply chains
Summary
Sandeep Pondrik is a veteran IAS officer with a strong administrative track record in industrial policy, disaster management, and energy sector governance. As Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, he leads critical national efforts to bolster steel production targets, ensure product quality, and facilitate strategic global integration of India’s steel industry. His stewardship reflects a blend of sectoral focus and broader national development objectives.