Ajay Kumar Bhalla | |
Termstart: | 22 August 2019 |
Termend: | 22 August 2024 |
Honorific Suffix: | IAS |
Succeeded: | Govind Mohan |
Birth Date: | 1960 11, df=yes[1] |
Nationality: | Indian |
Occupation: | Civil servant |
Term Start2: | July 2017 |
Term End2: | July 2019 |
Office2: | Secretary, Ministry of Power |
Preceded2: | P.K.Pujari |
Successor2: | Sanjiv N. Sahai |
Ajay Kumar Bhalla (born 26 November 1960) is former Home Secretary of India. He assumed the office on 23 August 2019, succeeding Rajiv Gauba. He is a retired IAS officer of 1984 batch,[2] [3] from Assam Meghalaya cadre. He served as Home Secretary of India for around five years there till 22 August 2024.[4] He hails from Jalandhar, Punjab, India.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla was born on 26 November 1960 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He completed his early education in Punjab before pursuing higher studies. Bhalla obtained his Master of Science degree in botany from the University of Delhi.[5] He further enhanced his academic qualifications by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.[6]
Ajay Kumar Bhalla is a 1984-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.[7] Throughout his career, he has held several significant positions in the Indian government, showcasing his administrative expertise.
Bhalla was appointed as the Union Home Secretary on August 22, 2019.[8] His tenure has been marked by several significant events and challenges:
Bhalla's tenure as Home Secretary has been extended multiple times, with his fourth extension in August 2023 set to keep him in office till August 22, 2024. This will make him only the second Union Home Secretary to complete five years in office.[8] After that, he was succeeded by Govind Mohan 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to Sikkim cadre.[9]
Prior to his appointment as Home Secretary, Bhalla held several key positions in the Indian government: