Ladakh first Chief Secretary: Ladakh has got the first Chief Secretary after separating from Jammu and Kashmir. Pawan Kotwal, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, has been made the Chief Secretary. Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS officer of 1994 batch (AGMUT cadre), will now play the role of Chief Secretary of Ladakh. However, there has been no change in their existing responsibilities.
Earlier last month, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved the post of Chief Secretary for Ladakh and Pawan Kotalwal was playing the role of advisor to the Lieutenant Governor. The central government issued a notification for amending the Indian Administrative Service Rules on 3 January 2025. After the amendment, the post of Chief Secretary was also included in 14 posts of Indian Administrative Service approved for Ladakh.
Who is Pawan Kotwal?
Dr. Pawan Kotwal was born in 1965 in Jammu and Kashmir. He is a very experienced civil servant and has held many important positions in Jammu and Kashmir. He has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. During his career, he has served in several major administrative positions in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Deputy Commissioner in many districts and Principal Secretary in Health and Medical Education, Revenue and Planning Departments.
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Pawan Kotwal was posted in Ladakh in 2019
He has also worked as Financial Commissioner in Revenue Department, Inspector General of Registration and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The Ladakh administration has said that this step will further strengthen the government and will increase the administrative effectiveness in the region. After the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, he was posted in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
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