Retired IAS Officer Preeti Sudan Appointed UPSC Chairperson, Assumes Role Tomorrow

The former Union Health Secretary, Preeti Sudan, will take over as Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on August 1, 2024. This appointment, granted under Article 316A of the Indian Constitution, follows the resignation of her predecessor, Manoj Soni. Preeti Sudan, who has been a member of the UPSC since November 29, 2022, will now chair the Commission until her retirement in April 2025, when she turns 65. Preeti Sudan’s appointment was announced in a letter to UPSC secretary Shashi Ranjan Kumar by Additional Secretary Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, after President Droupadi Murmu’s approval.

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

Manoj Soni, the departing chairman, had been with the UPSC since 2017, first as a Member and subsequently as Chairperson from May 16, 2023. His resignation, effective a few days ago, occurred nearly five years before the conclusion of his tenure, which was slated to end in 2029. The grounds for his early departure were stated as “personal reasons,” clearing the stage for Sudan’s rise to the top position.

Preeti Sudan’s career is defined by her wide and diversified roles. As Union Health Secretary, her term concluded in July 2020. According to reports, Preeti Sudan has approximately 37 years of experience in government administration. During her three-year stint as Health Secretary, she played a critical role in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the last six months. She has also served in the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Her contributions in her home cardre Andhra Pradesh include positions in finance, planning, disaster management, tourism, and agriculture. Preeti Sudan also has international experience, having previously served as a consultant for the World Bank.