Exclusive: Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan Likely to Move to PMO, Successor Race Heats Up

According to top government sources, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan is most likely set to transition to a new role within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), stepping in to fill the position of Advisor to the PM, vacant since Amit Khare moved on to become Secretary to the Vice President last year.  Top Sources indicate the government has effectively given a green light to reshuffle the top echelon of bureaucracy. With Somanathan's exit from the Cabinet Secretary post now considered "almost finalised," attention has shifted firmly to the succession race. Sources say two names are currently in active consideration:

Race For Next Cabinet Secretary

First- S. Krishnan – Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Second- Manoj Joshi – Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals.   Of the two, sources add that S. Krishnan is emerging as the clear frontrunner to become India's next Cabinet Secretary.