Key Highlights
- Rajit Punhani, an experienced IAS officer, assumed the CEO role at FSSAI on 1 September 2025.
- His portfolio spans public finance, health, energy, security, and diplomacy, underscoring a broad reform agenda.
- He pioneered a pension cover for over 450 million informal‑sector workers and led the world’s largest maternal-health messaging drive.
- His federal roles include Secretary of Skill Development, CEO of Sansad TV, and participation in the committee that shaped GST.
- The FSSAI, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, now benefits from Punhani’s cross‑sector governance experience.
Detailed Insights
Career trajectory: After 30+ years in civil service, Punhani served as District Magistrate, Deputy Development Commissioner, Principal Secretary, and Special Secretary. He represented India in the EU as a diplomat, reflecting a blend of local and international exposure.
Reform milestones: His initiatives included a nationwide pension scheme for informal workers, a comprehensive corporate‑tax review, and the creation of a global information‑sharing protocol for maternal health. These projects demonstrate his commitment to inclusive policy design and data‑driven decision‑making.
FSSAI context: Established through the 2006 Act, the FSSAI operates autonomously, reporting to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It regulates food safety standards, labeling, import/export pre‑clearance, and market‑level inspections.
Key Concepts
- FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) – A statutory agency that sets, monitors, and enforces food safety norms in India.
- IAS (Indian Administrative Service) – The premier civil‑service cadre, responsible for policy formulation and administration across the country.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) – India’s comprehensive indirect tax system, consolidated into one umbrella tax in 2017.
- Maternal Health Messaging Program – A data‑driven communication campaign targeting pregnant women to improve health outcomes.
- Informal‑sector Pension Scheme – A pensioner benefit program covering millions of workers in unorganised employment.