Awards AppointmentsThursday, 14 May 2026·Ministry of External Affairs
Vikram Misri appointed as new Foreign Secretary of India
1989-batch IFS officer succeeds Vinay Mohan Kwatra; takes charge for a fixed two-year tenure.
Key highlights
Vikram Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has been appointed as the 34th Foreign Secretary of India — the seniormost civil servant in the Ministry of External Affairs.
- Predecessor: Vinay Mohan Kwatra
- Tenure: Fixed two-year term, with possible extension
- Previous role: Deputy National Security Advisor
- Past assignments: Ambassador to China (2019–2021), Spain, Myanmar; private secretary to three PMs
- Significance: Takes charge during heightened tensions with China and a critical phase in India's G20 follow-through.
TNPSC angle: Indian Polity — Civil services, Important appointments. Group 1 mains general studies.