- Vikram Dev Dutt: Secretary, Ministry of Coal.
- Additional Charge: Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- Period: August 23 to August 29, 2026.
- Reason: Neeraj Mittal is on leave during this period.
New Delhi: Vikram Dev Dutt (IAS: 1993: AGMUT), Secretary, Ministry of Coal, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Dutt will hold the additional charge from August 23, 2026, to August 29, 2026, during the period of leave of Neeraj Mittal (IAS: 1992: TN), the incumbent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Vikram Dev Dutt to Handle Additional Responsibility
As Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, Vikram Dev Dutt is already responsible for key policy and administrative matters related to India’s coal sector. With the additional charge, he will temporarily oversee the functioning of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
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The additional responsibility will remain effective for a period of seven days, from August 23 to August 29, 2026.
Neeraj Mittal on Leave
The temporary arrangement has been made during the period of absence on leave of Neeraj Mittal, who is the Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Dutt will discharge the responsibilities of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry until Mittal resumes charge or the specified additional-charge period ends.
Why the Additional Charge Matters
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is responsible for important areas including oil and gas exploration, production, refining, petroleum products, natural gas and energy policy.
The temporary assignment ensures continuity in the ministry’s administrative functioning during the absence of its regular secretary.