Overview
- Pant will assume charge as Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment on December 1 after Amit Yadav retires on November 30, according to the official order.
- A 1991-batch Rajasthan-cadre IAS officer, Pant has served as Chief Secretary since January 1, 2024 and is due to retire in February 2027, making this a move about 13 months before superannuation.
- He previously held senior central posts, including Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary and Shipping and Waterways Secretary from 2022 to 2023.
- The mid‑tenure transfer echoes an earlier precedent when then Rajasthan Chief Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi was moved to a central role during Vasundhara Raje’s tenure.
- Pant’s shift has set off a succession contest in Rajasthan, with senior IAS officers being considered for the Chief Secretary position.