A 1994 batch IAS officer, Rajesh Agrawal brings 30 years of policy and governance experience to the Commerce Department.
Shri Rajesh Agrawal, IAS officer of the 1994 batch, has officially assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in New Delhi.
With over three decades in public administration, Agrawal has played a pivotal role in governance, policymaking, and implementation across multiple sectors such as agriculture, fertilisers, MSMEs, power, and skill development. He is recognised for shaping India’s skill development policies and represented the country at the World Skills Governing Council for three years. His efforts in state-level reforms in Manipur, Jharkhand, and Bihar have also been widely noted.
Before his new appointment, Agrawal led India’s trade negotiations under several key Free Trade Agreements. He served as the Chief Negotiator for the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement, Indo-Pacific Economic Forum, and India–Australia CECA, besides overseeing the review of the ASEAN FTA. He also managed export promotion initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors, strengthening India’s global trade positioning.
Source: PIB
