Shri Rajesh Agrawal, IAS (1994 Batch), has assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi today.

Shri Agrawal is an accomplished administrator with three decades of experience in governance, policy making and implementation across diverse sectors including skilling, human resource development, apprenticeship, power, fertilizer, agriculture, and MSMEs. He has been instrumental in shaping the country’s skill development policies, represented India at the World Skills Governing Council for three years, and steered sectoral reforms in states such as Manipur, Jharkhand, and Bihar.

Prior to his current assignment, Shri Agrawal was overseeing India’s trade negotiations with various countries under Free Trade Agreements. He was the Chief Negotiator for the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement, Indo-Pacific Economic Forum, India–Australia CECA, and review of the ASEAN FTA. He was also in charge of export promotion for the agriculture and allied sectors.

Appointment of Secretary of Commerce positions senior civil service leadership to direct trade policy, FTA negotiations and export promotion. An administrative appointment names a senior career civil servant as Secretary of the Department of Commerce to lead customs, DGFT and SEZ policy oversight and to direct trade negotiations, FTA engagement and export promotion within the department's regulatory and policy framework.