He will replace Ajit Seth, who will demit office on June 12 after a four-year stint, with three extensions.
“The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Pradeep Kumar Sinha, IAS (UP Cadre, 1977 batch) as the next Cabinet Secretary, with effect from June 13, 2015,” an official statement said. Sinha was the Power Secretary since July 2013 and was earlier Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping.
He has held several other important positions in the Union Government and Uttar Pradesh.
The Prime Minister has also approved Sinha’s appointment as Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat, with effect from the date of assumption of charge, till June 12, 2015, the statement said.
Sinha will hold the post at least till June 12, 2017 unless given an extension.
With this appointment, Sinha becomes one of the most powerful bureaucrats, as he is set to head the Cabinet Secretariat, which is directly under the charge of the Prime Minister.