In a recent development, the Central Government has appointed Saurabh Garg (IAS), a 1991-batch officer of the Odisha cadre, to assume the additional charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). This decision, conveyed through an order from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), comes following the conclusion of Dr. GP Samanta’s tenure on April 15.

Saurabh Garg currently serves as the Secretary of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. His extensive experience includes notable positions such as Chief Executive Officer at Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Principal Secretary in the Government of Odisha, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Dr. Garg’s illustrious career has seen him tackle challenging assignments in districts like Kalahandi, Sambalpur, and Keonjhar in Odisha. He was a pivotal member of the founding team of the Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG) during his tenure with the Tata Administrative Service (TAS). Moreover, he has contributed significantly to various sectors as an Adviser with the World Bank in Washington DC and as Chairman/Managing Director of Public Sector Companies.

Educationally, Dr. Garg holds a Ph.D. in International Economics and Development from Johns Hopkins University, USA, along with an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, where he was honored with a Gold Medal. His academic prowess also includes a B.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, and a Gurukul Chevening Fellowship at the London School of Economics & Political Science.

Furthermore, Dr. Garg has made valuable contributions to literature in his field, having published articles and contributed to books covering various topics such as innovations in administration, infrastructure financing, and financial inclusion. As he takes on this additional responsibility, his wealth of experience and academic background position him well for the challenges ahead in steering MoSPI’s mandate effectively.