PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession: Civil Servant (IAS officer)
Date of Birth: 26 November 1960 (Saturday)
Age (as of 2024): 64 Years
Birthplace: Bihar, India
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Nationality: Indian
Hometown: Bihar, India
Age: 64 Years
EDUCATION
College/University: • University of Delhi, New Delhi • University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia • Panjab University, Chandigarh
Educational Qualification(s): • M. Sc. (Botany) from the University of Delhi, New Delhi • MBA from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia • M.Phil (Social Sciences) from Panjab University, Chandigarh [1] Ministry of Home Affairs
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Height (approx.): in centimeters – 165 cm in meters – 1.65 m in feet & inches – 5’ 5”
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Grey
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Married
Wife/Spouse: Jyoti Grover Bhalla (teacher at Delhi Public School)
Children: Son – Girik Bhalla Daughter – Akriti Bhalla (Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company)
Parents: Names Not Known Note: His father was a government employee.
Wife: Jyoti Grover Bhalla
MONEY FACTOR
Salary: As per Level 17 of the 7th Pay Commission, Ajay Kumar Bhalla was entitled to Rs. 225,000 base salary per month as Home Secretary of India. [3] India Today
OTHER INFORMATION
Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Batch: 1984
Major Designation(s): • Home Secretary of India • Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry of Home Affairs • Secretary of Ministry of Power • Director General of Foreign Trade • Director of IIFT (additional charge) • Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Govt. of India • Designated Authority, Directorate General Anti Dumping • Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India • Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal • Director (Ports) in the Department of Shipping • Joint Secretary (Ports) in the Department of Shipping
Post(s): Governor of Manipur (26 December 2024 – present)
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a distinguished senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has carved a significant niche in the landscape of Indian governance. Appointed as the Home Secretary of India on August 22, 2019, Bhalla brought with him a wealth of experience garnered over decades of dedicated service. Prior to this pivotal role, he served as the Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry of Home Affairs for a brief yet crucial period from July 26, 2019, to August 23, 2019. His professional journey features notable positions, including Secretary of the Ministry of Power from June 30, 2017, to July 25, 2019, and he has also held key roles in the Ministry of Coal and the Department of Shipping. His stellar career has been marked by four consecutive one-year extensions, reflecting his invaluable contributions and trust placed in him by successive administrations.
Hailing from the state of Bihar, Bhalla is an IAS officer from the 1984 batch, belonging to the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Upon commencing his service on August 21, 1984, he took on various responsibilities that spanned across both states, beginning with his role as Director (Ports) in the Department of Shipping between May 2002 and March 2005. Bhalla’s expertise in port operations and human resource development was further honed as he transitioned to the role of Joint Secretary (Ports) from April 2005 to May 2007. His extensive experience continued to grow, culminating in his appointment as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal on July 1, 2010, where he managed critical aspects of coal block allocations.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bhalla has faced numerous challenges, particularly during his tenure as Home Secretary, which commenced shortly after the historic revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. This decision, which altered the region’s special status, led to significant unrest. Tasked with maintaining peace, Bhalla adeptly coordinated resources, including armed forces, effectively curbing violence and terrorist activities in the Valley in the following years. As 2019 progressed, he also had to navigate the complexities surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which incited communal tensions across the nation. His leadership was further tested during the Covid-19 pandemic, where he was instrumental in managing lockdown measures and guiding state responses to the crisis.
Bhalla’s tenure was not without its trials, including the legislative delays concerning the CAA’s regulations and the National Population Register updates. However, he continued to demonstrate resilience and strategic foresight, managing significant events such as the farmer protests in Delhi and the establishment of the Ram Mandir Trust. His service was extended multiple times, most recently in 2023, allowing him to steer the Ministry of Home Affairs through ongoing internal security challenges, including unrest in Manipur and pro-Khalistan activities. With an impressive trajectory that could make him the longest-serving Home Secretary in over 50 years, Ajay Kumar Bhalla remains a crucial figure in shaping India’s internal security landscape and governance.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.