Rajit Punhani Takes Charge as CEO of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Appointment
On September 1, 2025, Shri Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre, officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Shri Punhani brings over three decades of administrative experience spanning the central government, state administrations, and international platforms. His illustrious career includes serving as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Secretary of the Rajya Sabha, and CEO of Sansad TV, in addition to holding key posts in the Government of Bihar.
- Prior to this appointment, he had directed pivotal reforms, including the launch of pension and insurance schemes for over 450 million unorganised sector workers, spearheading the world’s largest maternal health messaging service, and contributing to the Committee on Indirect Taxes, which laid the groundwork for India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Main Point :- (i) Rajit Punhani succeeds Ganji Kamala V. Rao, whose term ended on August 31, 2025. His appointment was formalized via an order from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on August 22, 2025, elevating the position to the level and pay of a Secretary to the Government of India.
(ii) His assumption of charge comes at a crucial juncture, as FSSAI works to finalize front-of-pack nutrition labelling regulations under directives from the Supreme Court. The regulations mandate the display of sugar, salt, and saturated fat content on packaged foods, with the deadline extended to October 2025 for the expert committee's report.
Founder: Anbumani Ramadoss
Headquarters: New Delhi
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