New Delhi: Preeti Sudan, a distinguished IAS Officer of the 1983 batch from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). With an illustrious career spanning nearly 37 years in public service, Sudan assumes this pivotal role following her retirement as Union Health Secretary in July 2020. Former chairperson Manoj Soni resigns after five years before term ends. During her tenure as Union Health Secretary, Sudan garnered acclaim for her leadership in navigating Indias response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her extensive administrative experience includes serving as Secretary of the Department of Food & Public Distribution and holding key positions in the Women & Child Development and Defence Ministries. At the state level, she has contributed significantly to areas such as Finance & Planning, Disaster Management, Tourism, and Agriculture.Know about educational qualificationEducationally, Sudan holds an M.Phil in Economics and an M.Sc. in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics (LSE). Her contributions to national programs are noteworthy, including her role in launching flagship initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ayushman Bharat. She has also been instrumental in shaping legislative milestones such as the establishment of the National Medical Commission and the ban on e-cigarettes.Leadership roles Beyond national borders, Sudans influence extends globally through her tenure as a consultant with the World Bank and leadership roles such as Chair of COP-8 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and Vice Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health. She has chaired the Global Digital Health Partnership and served as a member of the WHOs Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.Sudans journey with the Union Public Service Commission began with her appointment as a member on November 29, 2022, marking a continuation of her commitment to public service and governance excellence.
