New UPSC chief Preeti Sudan to take charge on Aug 1

Preeti Sudan, former union health secretary has been appointed as the chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and is set to take charge on August 1.

Sudan, whose appointment is sanctioned under Article 316A of the Indian Constitution will replace Manoj Soni, who resigned earlier this month citing “personal reasons." His term was set to end in 2029. Soni, who joined the Commission as a Member in 2017, and was sworn-in as the Chairperson in 2023.

Sudan has been a member of the UPSC since November 29, 2022, and will serve as the UPSC chief until her retirement in April 2025, when she reaches the age of 65.

The announcement of her appointment was made following the approval of President Droupadi Murmu.

"The Hon'ble President has also approved the appointment of Smt. Preeti Sudan, Member, UPSC, under clause (1) of Article 316 of the Constitution for performing the duties of Chairman, UPSC with effect from 1 August, 2024, till further orders or until 29.04.2025, whichever is earlier," the appointment order stated.

Meanwhile, the new UPSC chairman is an IAS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, 1983 batch and has nearly 37 years of experience in working in various government administration.

Sudan worked as the union health secretary for three years from 2017 till July 2020. She has been the key strategist in times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She has also held significant positions within the ministries of Defense and Women and Child Development, as well as various roles in her home state cadre of Andhra Pradesh, including areas such as finance, planning, disaster management, tourism, and agriculture.

She has also made notable contributions to various national-level programs such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ayushman Bharat, ban on E-cigarettes, and legislation on national medical commission, among others.

Additionally, Sudan has also served as a consultant for the World Bank further enhancing her credentials as she is set to lead the UPSC.