Senior IAS officer Rajit Punhani has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India.
The appointment was confirmed through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Friday, August 22, 2025. Punhani, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre, is currently serving as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
He will replace Ganji Kamala V. Rao, IAS, following the completion of Rao's term of re-employment on August 31, 2025. The post of FSSAI CEO has been temporarily upgraded to Secretary level for this appointment.
With over three decades of experience in governance, public policy, and institutional leadership, Punhani is widely regarded as a capable administrator. His expertise is expected to further strengthen FSSAI's mission of ensuring safe and high-quality food standards across India.
Following Punhani's move, Debashree Mukherjee, currently Secretary of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, will take over his previous role in the Skill Development Ministry.
