Now Reading: Welfare ministries see highest turnover of secretaries since 2021
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Welfare ministries see highest turnover of secretaries since 2021
The Economic Times reports that social and welfare ministries have seen the most frequent changes in bureaucratic leadership over the past five years, while strategic portfolios like home, defence, and finance have…
The Story in Brief
The Economic Times reports that social and welfare ministries have seen the most frequent changes in bureaucratic leadership over the past five years, while strategic portfolios like home, defence, and finance have enjoyed greater stability. Ministries such as health, labour, minority affairs, education, and water resources have had three to five different secretaries since 2021. Many left before completing two years. The Ministry of Minority Affairs stands out with its sixth secretary since 2021, each serving between 10 and 19 months. In contrast, Ajay Bhalla served a full five-year term as home secretary, and his successor Govind Mohan received a one-year extension last week.
The Indian Opinion
The revolving door at welfare ministries feeds a lazy narrative that these portfolios are less important. But the numbers suggest a different problem: frequent leadership changes erode institutional memory and policy continuity. The health, education, and minority affairs ministries have seen four to six secretaries in five years, many serving barely 18 months. Meanwhile, home and defence secretaries get extensions. The test will be whether the government can keep the next secretary in health or education for at least three years. That single number will tell us if this is neglect or design.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
