Ajit Kumar Seth a 1974 batch IAS officer from UP cadre appointed Cabinet Secretary

Ajit Kumar Seth a 1974 batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre was on 23 May 2011 appointed the Cabinet Secretary of India. The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cleared the appointment. Prior to being appointed as Cabinet Secretary, he served as Secretary, Public Grievances and Co-ordination in the Cabinet Secretariat. Seth will serve for fixed two year tenure. He succeeded K M Chandrashekhar who is due to retire in June 2011.

Seth who has Masters Degree in Chemistry has been on central deputation since 1 January 2009.
Cabinet Secretary is the head of executive officers and is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. The administrative head of the Cabinet Secretariat is the Cabinet Secretary who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board, and thus the head of the Indian Administrative Service including the Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service(IFS), Indian Revenue Service(IRS) and the Indian Forest Service(IFS).

In the Government of India Allocation of Business Rules, 1961 Cabinet Secretariat finds a place in the First Schedule to the Rules. As a matter of convention the senior most civil servant is appointed as a Cabinet Secretary and the person generally belongs to the Indian Administrative Service. The incumbent generally holds office for tenure of 2 to 3 years. The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Government of India Transaction of Business Rules, 1961 and the Government of India Allocation of Business Rules 1961, facilitating smooth transaction of business in Ministries/Departments of the Government by ensuring adherence to these rules.