In a significant reshuffling of senior bureaucratic ranks, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the transfer of Sanjiv Shankar, IRS (IT:1993), from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Shankar, who had been serving as Joint Secretary at the I&B Ministry, has now officially taken over as the Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor at his new posting.

A seasoned officer from the 1993 batch of the Indian Revenue Service, Sanjiv Shankar brings with him a wealth of experience across tax administration, public policy, and digital transformation. At MIB, he was instrumental in ushering reforms in content regulation, streamlining governance in the broadcasting ecosystem, and helping shape India’s digital media framework.

His contributions were also visible in strategic initiatives targeting the expansion of OTT policy norms and empowering satellite and cable operators.

Notably, Shankar recently delivered a keynote address at the SATCAB SYMPOSIUM 2025, held on March 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. His session, which focused on the future of Indian broadcasting, underscored his commitment to balancing regulatory oversight with innovation in the media sector—earning appreciation from stakeholders across the broadcasting and cable TV landscape.

Shankar’s academic credentials include a post-graduate degree from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, with a specialization in public policy and taxation. His shift to Consumer Affairs as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor places him in a critical role at a ministry that handles essential services impacting millions of Indian households.

In a parallel move, Prabhat, an officer from the 1993 batch of the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. With a solid background in human resources and administrative governance, Prabhat is expected to bring managerial efficiency to the ministry’s evolving mandates—particularly in coordination between public broadcasters and new-age digital content platforms.

The reshuffle also comes at a time when another key officer, Ashwini Singh, has been elevated to a senior role at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), further signalling a broader administrative overhaul intended to align ministries with emerging technological and governance priorities.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the developments through an official communication, noting that these appointments were made following due approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

The movements are expected to enhance inter-ministerial coordination as India navigates its digital transformation across sectors like consumer services, broadcasting, and IT.