Former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan will take over as the new UPSC chairperson starting Thursday. She will replace Manoj Soni and will hold the position until April 2025. Sudan, a retired IAS officer of the 1983 batch, has previously held key roles in various ministries and initiated significant flagship programmes. She has also served as a consultant with the World Bank and has been part of several global health initiatives.
Preeti Sudan: India's New UPSC Chairperson
The Public Service Commission (UPSC), India's premier recruitment agency for civil servants, has appointed Preeti Sudan as its new chairperson, effective April 13, 2023. She succeeds Manoj Soni, whose tenure ended on April 12.
Background
Preeti Sudan is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1983 batch. She holds a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Delhi and has served in various ministries and departments throughout her career.
Key Roles
As Union Health Secretary from 2018 to 2021, Sudan played a pivotal role in India's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was responsible for coordinating the country's vaccine rollout, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of healthcare workers.
Sudan has also held key positions in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, where she initiated the 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana' (PMAY), a flagship program to provide affordable housing to the urban poor. She has also served as the Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Global Contributions
In addition to her work in India, Sudan has served as a consultant with the World Bank and has been part of several global health initiatives. She has been recognized internationally for her contributions to public health, including a nomination for the 2020 Global Health 50 award.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is Preeti Sudan? A: Preeti Sudan is a retired IAS officer who has been appointed as the new UPSC chairperson.
2. What are her qualifications? A: Sudan holds a Master's degree in Mathematics and has over 38 years of administrative experience.
3. What was her role in the COVID-19 pandemic? A: As Union Health Secretary, Sudan coordinated India's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the country's vaccination program.
4. What are her plans as UPSC chairperson? A: Sudan has not yet announced her specific plans, but she is expected to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.
5. How long will she serve as UPSC chairperson? A: Sudan's term is for five years, until April 2025.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi is a significant day for Hindus, particularly in South India. It is a time to fast and pray to Lord Vishnu for forgiveness and a chance to go to heaven. This year, it falls on January 10, 2025, and devotees celebrate by lighting lamps, chanting mantras, and visiting temples for blessings. The holiday is rooted in the belief that observing it dedicatedly can bring good fortune and a peaceful afterlife.
In the aftermath of a tragic stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken swift action by suspending officials and ordering a judicial probe into the incident. Criticizing the lack of responsibility and failure to assess the situation, Naidu's political opponents are also utilizing the incident to attack his government. Amidst the controversy, the temple's reputation for managing large crowds has taken a hit and measures are being suggested to prevent such incidents in the future.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been in the news for its melting glaciers and concerns about climate change. However, its strategic importance has also caught the attention of leaders like President Trump who recently expressed interest in purchasing the island. This is not a new idea, as previous presidents have also considered acquiring Greenland due to its location, potential energy resources, and role in the Arctic region. This article explores the history of this proposition and the current geopolitical considerations surrounding Greenland.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
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The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.