Amit Khare Secretary Vice-President: Retired IAS officer Amit Khare appointed Secretary to Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan for three years. Key details, role, and exam relevance explained.
Amit Khare Appointed Secretary to Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan
New Appointment Secured by Amit Khare
Retired IAS officer Amit Khare, previously serving as Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been appointed as the Secretary to Vice-President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan. The contract is for three years and is on a contract basis.
Career Profile: Khare’s Extensive Administrative Experience
Khare belongs to the 1985 batch of the IAS, from the Jharkhand cadre. Over his long career, he has held several significant positions: Secretary in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; Secretary, School Education and Literacy; Secretary, Higher Education. He has also been deeply involved in policy formation, notably the National Education Policy 2020.
Role as Advisor to the Prime Minister
After retiring as a central government secretary, Khare was appointed as Advisor to the Prime Minister in October 2021, with the portfolio focusing on social sector issues. His term as advisor was expected to run until mid-2026 but the new assignment begins immediately upon assumption of charge.
Terms of Engagement and Rank
His appointment as Secretary to the Vice-President is on contract, with rank and pay equivalent to a Secretary to the Government of India. The term is set for three years from when he assumes charge, or until further orders.
Appointment Committee Approval and Related Positions
The decision was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Alongside Khare’s appointment, Chandrasekar S, IAS (Kerala cadre, 2014 batch), has been appointed Private Secretary to the Vice-President.
Why This News Is Important
Relevance for Competitive Exams
For students preparing for government exams (UPSC, state PSCs, banking, railways, defence, etc.), this appointment is relevant for several reasons. It reflects how senior civil service roles are filled, how contract appointments work even post-retirement, and the importance of key institutions like the Vice-President’s office. Such examples often appear in questions about administrative structure, constitutional offices, and bureaucratic postings.
Implications for Governance and Policy Continuity
Amit Khare’s appointment underscores continuity in governance. Because Khare has held high-level policy roles (especially in education and broadcasting) and was involved with the National Education Policy 2020, his experience might influence the administrative functioning of the Vice-President’s Secretariat. Exams can ask about the role of Vice-President, the bureaucratic machinery, and how policy is implemented through senior officers.
Political and Institutional Significance
C.P. Radhakrishnan was recently sworn in as Vice-President (September 2025). Having a seasoned bureaucrat like Khare in this role suggests trust in experienced administrators to support new constitutional office bearers. For exam purposes, knowing recent appointments, high-ranking bureaucrats, and constitutional authority-holders is essential current affairs knowledge.
Historical Context
The Position of Secretary to the Vice-President
In India’s constitutional framework, the Vice-President is the second highest constitutional office after the President. The Vice-President also serves as the Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. The Secretary to the Vice-President heads the Vice-President’s Secretariat, which supports both the constitutional and administrative responsibilities of the V.P. office.
Previous Holders and Process of Appointment
Appointments to such high-ranking positions (Secretary to Vice-President, etc.) are usually made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), often involving senior civil servants or retired officers with prior high-level administrative experience. Contract basis re-employment of retired IAS officers for certain roles is not uncommon in India.
Amit Khare’s Past Notable Roles
- Khare, as Secretary, Information & Broadcasting; and Secretary, School Education & Higher Education, contributed to important policy arenas like media regulation, education reforms, including the NEP 2020.
- He had earlier exposure in crisis or investigation-related work—most famously his involvement in exposing the Fodder Scam in Bihar.
Recent Change in Vice-Presidential Office
C.P. Radhakrishnan assumed office as the 15th Vice-President of India on 12 September 2025, following the election and oath-taking. This necessitated filling several secretarial and supporting staff roles, including the Secretary.
Key Takeaways from Amit Khare’s Appointment
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Amit Khare, a retired 1985-batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, has been appointed Secretary to Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan. |
| 2 | His appointment is for three years, on a contract basis, with rank and pay equivalent to Secretary to Government of India. |
| 3 | Khare has previously held high profile positions: Secretary of Information & Broadcasting; Secretary of School Education & Literacy; Secretary of Higher Education; also Advisor to the Prime Minister since October 2021 focusing on the social sector. |
| 4 | The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). |
| 5 | This move comes soon after C.P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice-President (12 September 2025), and is part of setting up his secretariat and administrative support. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Amit Khare?
Amit Khare is a retired IAS officer of the 1985 batch from Jharkhand cadre, who has previously served as Secretary in various central government ministries and as Advisor to the Prime Minister.
2. What is Amit Khare’s new appointment?
He has been appointed as Secretary to the Vice‑President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on a contract basis for three years.
3. What are Amit Khare’s major contributions in the past?
He has worked on education reforms, including the National Education Policy 2020, media regulation, and was also involved in exposing the Fodder Scam in Bihar.
4. Who approves appointments for positions like Secretary to the Vice-President?
Appointments to such high-ranking bureaucratic posts are approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
5. What is the role of Secretary to the Vice-President?
The Secretary heads the Vice-President’s Secretariat and assists in administrative, constitutional, and parliamentary duties, as the Vice-President also serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
6. Who else has been appointed in the Vice-President’s office recently?
Chandrasekar S, IAS (Kerala cadre, 2014 batch), has been appointed as the Private Secretary to the Vice-President.
7. How is this news relevant for competitive exams?
It is relevant for UPSC, state PSCs, banking, railways, defence, and other government exams because it tests knowledge of bureaucratic appointments, constitutional offices, and governance structure.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
