Meet The 36-Year-Old Right Hand To PM Modi! Nidhi Tewari Is PM's New Private Secretary
From Varanasi to PMO: Nidhi Tewari Named PM Modi’s New Private Secretary
Nidhi Tewari, a 2014-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has been appointed as Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant ascent for the young diplomat from Varanasi—Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency since 2014.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved her appointment on March 29, with immediate effect, as per a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) memorandum, elevating her from Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to one of the closest aides to the nation’s leader on a co-terminus basis.
Tewari, who secured the 96th rank in the 2013 Civil Services Examination, brings a rich blend of diplomatic and administrative experience. Hailing from Mehmurganj in Varanasi, she prepared for the exam while serving as Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax) in her hometown.
Joining the IFS in 2014, she initially worked as Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs’ Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division, sharpening her expertise in global security matters.
Her journey in the PMO began in November 2022 as Under Secretary, transitioning to Deputy Secretary by January 6, 2023. Over three years, Tewari has been a key figure in the ‘Foreign and Security’ vertical, reporting to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Her portfolio included External Affairs, Atomic Energy, Security Affairs, and oversight of Rajasthan, reflecting her strategic role in Modi’s administration.
Tewari succeeds Vivek Kumar and Hardik Satishchandra Shah as Modi’s third Private Secretary, a position pivotal to the PM’s daily operations. Her appointment underscores Modi’s trust in homegrown talent with international acumen, especially from his own constituency.
At 36, Tewari’s rise from Varanasi’s bureaucratic ranks to the PMO’s inner sanctum highlights her mettle, positioning her as a vital link in India’s governance and diplomatic machinery as Modi navigates his third term’s challenges.
