New Delhi: In a significant administrative development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the empanelment of Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani for Secretary-rank posts within the Union Government.
A seasoned officer of the 1995 batch of the Indian Administrative Service from the Odisha cadre, Shri Lohani’s elevation follows a rigorous review of his three-decade career marked by fiscal discipline and rural governance expertise.
Currently serving on central deputation as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Lohani has recently been promoted to the Apex Grade by the Government of Odisha, effective January 1, 2026. This promotion to Level-17 of the Pay Matrix underscores his standing as a top-tier administrator within the Indian bureaucracy.
His professional trajectory includes pivotal roles in both state and central governance. In Odisha, he served as the Chief Electoral Officer from 2019 to 2023, where he was recognized for managing complex electoral cycles with precision. Simultaneously, he held crucial responsibilities as the Principal Secretary Panchayati Raj, Excise Department and the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and GST, where he spearheaded digital initiatives like e-Abkari to streamline revenue collection and curb illicit trade.
Shri Lohani’s experience at the Center is equally extensive, having previously served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and as Executive Director in the Rural Electrification Corporation. His earlier career saw him serving as District Collector in Balangir, Sambalpur, and Keonjhar, providing him with deep-rooted insights into grassroots administration.
With this empanelment, Shri Lohani is now positioned for strategic leadership roles as a Secretary to the Government of India, bringing a blend of field experience and high-level policy expertise to the national stage.