| Career Journey | - Started his administrative career in 1985 in the Kerala cadre as District Magistrate in Palakkad district.
- Held positions such as managing director of Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank and general manager in Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation.
- Revitalized operations as managing director of Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KELTRON).
- Joined the central government, working in various significant roles including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and leading the Department of Biotechnology.
- Served from 2007 to 2010 as Principal Secretary in the Information Technology Department of the Government of Kerala.
- Promoted IT systems for governance as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT, and additional charge of Director General at National Informatics Centre.
- Contributed significantly to India's electronics and mobile manufacturing by framing the National Electronics Policy in 2012.
- Involved in various Digital India initiatives and supported policies in cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
- Assumed the role of Defence Production Secretary in 2017, focusing on self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
- Became Defence Secretary in August 2019, overseeing major defense reforms and the commissioning of the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Saksham.
- Contributed to innovative defense ecosystems and startup promotion during his tenure until 2022.
- After retirement, served as an advisor to the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) and founded MGF-Kavachh for deep tech startups.
- Currently holds the position of Chairperson at the UPSC since May 2025 and actively writes for Indian national dailies.
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