- Shri Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, officially assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on 1st September 2025.
- His appointment comes at a crucial time as India is focusing on strengthening food safety, public health, and regulatory modernization.
- Punhani brings with him more than three decades of administrative experience, having served in senior roles at the Centre, in state governments, and on international platforms. His career includes leadership positions such as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, where he aligned skilling initiatives with global benchmarks, and Secretary, Rajya Sabha and CEO, Sansad TV, where he worked to improve legislative communication and institutional outreach.
- Among his key policy contributions are the launch of a pension and insurance scheme for 450 million unorganised sector workers, the world’s largest maternal messaging program to improve maternal health outcomes, and his role as a member of the Committee on Indirect Taxes, which laid the foundation for India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.
- Punhani has also worked at the grassroots level as District Magistrate and Deputy Development Commissioner in Bihar, while holding high-level assignments such as Principal Secretary in the Bihar government and Special Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His international exposure includes serving as India’s diplomat to the European Union, contributing to governance and trade relations.
- The FSSAI, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, headquartered in New Delhi. It is the nodal authority for framing food safety standards, regulating compliance, and protecting consumer health in India.
Key Takeaways for Exam:
- Full Form: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Established: 2006, under Food Safety and Standards Act
- Type: Autonomous body
- Works under: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
- Headquarters: New Delhi