Senior IAS officer Rajesh Agrawal on Wednesday (October 1) assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce, succeeding Sunil Barthwal, who retired on September 30.A 1994-batch officer, Agrawal brings with him over three decades of experience in governance, policy-making, and implementation across sectors such as skilling, power, fertiliser, agriculture, and MSMEs.He has played a key role in shaping India’s skill development framework and has represented the country at the World Skills Governing Council, the official release said.
#NewsFlash | Rajesh Agarwal assumes charge as Commerce Secretary pic.twitter.com/TeOVbl435T
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) October 1, 2025
Before his new appointment, Agrawal was leading India’s trade negotiations under several free trade agreements. He served as the chief negotiator for the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement, Indo-Pacific Economic Forum, India–Australia CECA, and the review of the ASEAN FTA. He was also responsible for export promotion in agriculture and allied sectors.
