Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1994 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre
Current Position: Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India (since April 2025)
🎓 Background & Education
A graduate in Commerce and Law, Shri Vivek Aggarwal joined the IAS in 1994. His academic credentials support his multifaceted administrative career.
🏛️ Administrative Career
Shri Aggarwal has served in both state and central government roles:
- At the state level in Madhya Pradesh, he held positions such as Assistant Commissioner, District Collector (notably for Rajgarh, Ujjain, and Indore), and Managing Director of state industrial boards.
- In the central government, he moved from the Prime Minister’s Office to significant roles in the Ministries of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Finance, including as Additional Secretary and Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit.
📌 Appointment to Culture
In April 2025, Shri Vivek Aggarwal was appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Culture by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He assumed office in the following month, taking over from his predecessor.
🎭 Initiatives & Vision
As Culture Secretary, he has:
- Conducted visits to leading cultural institutions like the Sahitya Akademi to review and support their programs.
- Advocated the establishment of Intellectual Property cells within cultural centres and academies to assist artists with rights protection, such as GI registration for traditional musical instruments.
- Promoted public–private partnerships and collaborations with state governments for better cultural outreach and education.
📝 Summary
Shri Vivek Aggarwal combines administrative depth with a strong focus on cultural preservation and innovation. His leadership in the Culture Ministry is marked by emphasis on intellectual property rights, institutional strengthening, and inclusive engagement across India’s cultural landscape.