Shri Sunil Barthwal assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce in New Delhi.

Prior to this he was serving as Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment. Shri Barthwal is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of Bihar Cadre. He is a post graduate in Economics. He did his B.A. (Hons) Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and his M.A. Economics from J.N.U. Delhi. He has a PG Diploma in Economics of Competition Law from King’s College, London.

During his rich and varied experience as an IAS Officer, he has held various administrative positions in the areas of Finance, Social Security, Investment, Infrastructure, Mines, Steel, Energy, Transport etc. in the Government at Central and State level. He has also worked in the Competition Commision of India. He has been on the Boards of SAIL, NMDC, MECON, MSTC & NIIF. He was the CEO of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, which is the largest social security organisation of India. He has been instrumental in many reforms in EPFO resulting in making it a more efficient, transparent and delivery oriented organisation.

He has published articles in journals and other publications. He has represented India in many international forums.

Appointment as Secretary of Commerce places a senior civil servant with labour, social security and competition law experience in leadership. Shri Sunil Barthwal has assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce after serving as Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment. An IAS officer of Bihar cadre with postgraduate economics training and a diploma in Economics of Competition Law, he has held senior administrative roles across finance, social security, investment, infrastructure, mines, steel, energy and transport, served on public enterprise boards and led the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, implementing reforms to enhance efficiency, transparency and delivery.