Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a veteran Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1984 batch of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is currently the Home Secretary of India. Rashtrapati Bhavan announced that he has been appointed as the new governor of Manipur. Bhalla will replace Laxman Prasad Acharya, who previously held the post.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla Biography
Ajay Kumar Bhalla was born on 26 November 1960 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. He first earned a Master of Science degree in Botany from the University of Delhi. He then earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
This MBA helped him build strong management skills and gave him a broader perspective on business and governance. In addition, Bhalla earned an M.Phil degree in Social Sciences from Punjab University, further expanding his education.
Ajay is married to Jyoti Grover Bhalla, who works as a teacher at Delhi Public School. They have two children: a son, Girik Bhalla, and a daughter, Aakriti Bhalla, who works as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Co.
Bhalla’s father was also a government official. Ajay Kumar Bhalla became the Home Secretary of India on August 23, 2019, just a year before his retirement.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ajay Kumar Bhalla |
| Profession | Civil Servant (IAS Officer) |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Batch | 1984 |
| Date of Birth | 26 November 1960 (Saturday) |
| Age (as of 2022) | 62 Years |
| Birthplace | Bihar, India |
| Signature | Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s signature |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Bihar, India |
| Wife/Spouse | Jyoti Grover Bhalla (Teacher at Delhi Public School) |
| Children | Son – Girik Bhalla Daughter – Akriti Bhalla (Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company) |
| College/University | University of Delhi, New Delhi University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Panjab University, Chandigarh |
| Educational Qualifications | M. Sc. (Botany) from the University of Delhi MBA from the University of Queensland, Brisbane M.Phil (Social Sciences) from Panjab University, Chandigarh |
Career Journey Of Ajay Kumar Bhalla
Ajay Kumar Bhalla is a 1984-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Over the years, he has held several key roles in the Government of India, demonstrating his strong administrative skills.
He was appointed as the Union Home Secretary on August 22, 2019. During his tenure in this position, he dealt with several major events and challenges:
- He oversaw the changes that followed the removal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
- He managed the government’s response to the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in late 2019.
- He led the country’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing lockdown measures and coordinating with the states.
- He also handled security issues such as the farmers’ protests in Delhi and the clashes in Manipur.
Bhalla’s tenure as home secretary has been extended multiple times, with his fourth extension coming in August 2023, taking him to the post till August 22, 2024. This will make him the second home secretary to hold the post for five years before retiring.
His previous extensions were in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Before becoming home secretary, Bhalla was secretary in the Ministry of Power from 2017 to 2019. He has also served as an additional secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and joint secretary in the Coal Ministry.
Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla I.A.S. (AM:1984) taking charge as Union Home Secretary, from Shri Rajiv Gauba I.A.S. (JH:1982). pic.twitter.com/vv04kdpUyd
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) August 23, 2019
Who Is the New Governor of Manipur?
On December 24, President Draupadi Murmu appointed former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the new Governor of Manipur. Former Army Chief Vijay Kumar Singh was made the new Governor of Mizoram. Also, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has been sent to Bihar and Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will take over as the Governor of Kerala.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s tenure as Home Secretary has been extended for the fourth time. Bhalla, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, will become the second Home Secretary to complete five or more years in the post when his term ends on August 22, 2024.
The first officer to do so was Lallan Prasad. Singh served as Home Secretary for about six years before retiring in 1971. After his retirement, Singh served as Governor in several states including Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura, and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1999.
Before becoming Home Secretary, Bhalla held several important roles in the Government of India:
- Secretary, Ministry of Power (July 2017 – July 2019)
- Director General of Foreign Trade
- Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal
- Director (Ports), Department of Shipping
Salary & Specialty
Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s basic salary as per the Seventh Pay Commission is ₹225,000 per month (approximately US$2,700), and he is placed in Pay Level 17.
Bhalla is often considered the right-hand man of Home Minister Amit Shah. A senior bureaucrat said that Bhalla is a decisive officer who always understands what needs to be done. He does not question the minister’s decisions but ensures that the work is done without any lapse.
A colleague in the Home Ministry mentioned that being from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Bhalla has excellent knowledge and expertise in handling issues related to the Northeast, which is important for the Home Ministry. It is also said that Bhalla is so efficient that very rarely will you find any file pending on his desk.
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