Vishvajit Sahay takes charge as Secretary Defence Finance; Bharat Khera leads MSME Ministry
Synopsis
Two senior bureaucrats have taken charge of critical ministries on 1 May 2025: Vishvajit Sahay, a decorated IDAS veteran with over three decades in Defence Finance, steps into the Secretary (Defence Finance) role, while Bharat Khera, a Himachal Pradesh-cadre IAS officer with deep defence and commerce experience, takes the helm of the MSME Ministry — which contributes over 30% of India's GDP.
Key Takeaways
Vishvajit Sahay , 1990-batch IDAS officer, assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence on 1 May 2025 .
Sahay previously served as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) and holds over three decades of experience in Defence Finance.
Bharat Khera , 1995-batch IAS officer (Himachal Pradesh cadre), took charge as Secretary, MSME Ministry on the same date.
Khera served as Joint Secretary (Air) in the Ministry of Defence from November 2014 to February 2020 , coordinating Republic Day events for four years.
The MSME sector contributes over 30 per cent to India's GDP, underscoring the significance of the appointment.
Vishvajit Sahay, a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence on 1 May 2025, according to an official statement. Simultaneously, Bharat Khera, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, took charge as Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
Vishvajit Sahay: Profile and Background
Prior to this appointment, Sahay served as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA). An alumnus of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi and a law graduate, he brings over three decades of experience in Defence Finance and Public Administration.
According to the ministry statement, Sahay has held several key positions, including Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Science and Technology, Joint Secretary in the Department of Heavy Industries, Finance Manager (Acquisition Wing) in the Ministry of Defence, and Director in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Within the Defence Accounts Department, he has served as Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) in Prayagraj, as well as Joint CGDA and Special CGDA. He has also represented India at international training forums, including those at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, and the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies, Germany.
Bharat Khera: Profile and Key Assignments
Khera brings more than three decades of administrative experience across Central and State Government roles. Before assuming his current position, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
He served for over five years as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence from November 2014 to February 2020. As Joint Secretary (Air), he handled matters related to the Indian Air Force and was entrusted with coordinating national ceremonial events, including Republic Day celebrations, for four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020. He also oversaw matters related to the Border Roads Organisation and international cooperation within the Ministry of Defence.
Subsequently, Khera served as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat for nearly two years, handling the Commerce, Industry, and Technology verticals and contributing to strategic policy-making during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why the MSME Appointment Matters
The MSME sector contributes over 30 per cent to India's GDP and plays a pivotal role in employment generation, manufacturing, and exports. Khera's appointment comes at a critical juncture as the sector navigates post-pandemic recovery pressures and global trade headwinds. His prior experience in the Cabinet Secretariat's Commerce and Industry vertical is expected to be directly relevant to the ministry's policy agenda.
What to Watch Next
Both appointments signal a consolidation of experienced bureaucratic hands in two strategically sensitive ministries — Defence Finance, at a time of elevated procurement activity, and MSME, as the government pushes to formalise and scale small businesses ahead of the next Union Budget cycle. Their policy priorities and early decisions will be closely tracked by industry bodies and defence stakeholders alike.
Point of View
Yet policy continuity has been elusive across successive secretaries. Whether his Cabinet Secretariat experience translates into sharper inter-ministerial coordination for MSMEs remains the real question.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vishvajit Sahay and what is his new role?
Vishvajit Sahay is a 1990-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) officer who assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence on 1 May 2025. He previously served as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) and has over three decades of experience in Defence Finance.
Who is Bharat Khera and what is his new appointment?
Bharat Khera is a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre who has taken charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). He previously served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Why is the MSME Secretary appointment significant?
The MSME sector contributes over 30 per cent to India's GDP and is central to employment generation, manufacturing, and exports. Khera's appointment is significant given his prior experience in the Cabinet Secretariat's Commerce and Industry verticals and his defence background.
What positions did Bharat Khera hold before the MSME role?
Khera served as Joint Secretary (Air) in the Ministry of Defence from November 2014 to February 2020, coordinating Republic Day celebrations for four consecutive years. He subsequently served as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat for nearly two years, handling Commerce, Industry, and Technology policy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Where did Vishvajit Sahay receive his education?
Vishvajit Sahay is an alumnus of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, and is also a law graduate. He has represented India at international forums including the University of Cambridge, UK, and the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies, Germany.
