New Delhi: Former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan shall join the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as its Chairperson from the 1st of August in the year 2024. This decision came after her resignation from Manoj Soni, her predecessor, and is made pursuant to Article 316A of the Constitution of India. Sudan has been currently serving as a member of the UPSC since November 29, 2022, and she will be succeeding in the top position until she attains the age of 65 years in April 2025.
The official order of appointment says, “Hon’ble President has also approved the appointment of Smt. Preeti Sudan, Member, UPSC, under clause (1) of the Article 316 of Constitution for performing the duties of Chairman, UPSC with effect from 1st of August 2024 till further orders or upto 29-04-2025, whichever is earlier”. Preeti Sudan was appointed after the previous director, Manoj Soni, left the position years before his tenure was over.
As for Preeti Sudan, she was appointed with a relevant academic background and great experience in management and administration in governmental organizations. Her stay as the Union Health Secretary until July 2020 was an important phase in which she handled the COVID-19 crisis, particularly towards the later phase. She has served around 37 years of service, comprising of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. In her home cadre of Andhra Pradesh, Sudan, she has worked on many important assignments in finance, planning, disaster management, tourism, agriculture, etc.
Apart from her national experience, Sudan has also worked on the international level as a consultant for the World Bank. It is believed that due to her vast experience and leadership qualities, she will become a good Chairperson of the UPSC.
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