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.
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