Rajiv Mehrishi

Rajiv Mehrishi (born 8 August 1955) is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1978 batch from the Rajasthan cadre. Over the course of his career, he has held several of India’s highest bureaucratic positions, including Union Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India. Known for his administrative acumen and financial expertise, Mehrishi has been a central figure in shaping governance and policy reforms during the late 2010s.

Early Life and Education

Rajiv Mehrishi was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where he attended St. Xavier’s School. He later pursued higher education in Delhi, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in History in 1975 and a Master of Arts in History in 1977 from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi. He subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. His educational background in both humanities and management played a vital role in shaping his balanced administrative approach.

Career in State Administration

After joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1978, Mehrishi served in a wide range of administrative roles across Rajasthan. His early postings included District Magistrate and Collector of Bikaner, where he gained first-hand experience in governance at the grassroots level. He later became Chairman of the Indira Gandhi Nahar Board, overseeing the state’s major canal irrigation system, and also served as Principal Secretary (Finance) to the Government of Rajasthan.
On 21 December 2013, Rajiv Mehrishi was appointed Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, the highest-ranking civil servant in the state. During his tenure, he focused on strengthening administrative efficiency and financial management, contributing significantly to the state’s development planning and fiscal discipline.

Career in the Union Government

Rajiv Mehrishi’s central-government career was equally distinguished, marked by several senior-level appointments in key ministries. He served as Secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and later in the Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
In October 2014, he was appointed Economic Affairs Secretary and concurrently designated Finance Secretary of India. In this role, he played a major part in shaping India’s financial and economic policy framework, particularly during a period of significant economic reforms.
On 31 August 2015, he assumed the position of Union Home Secretary, one of the most influential bureaucratic roles in the country. As Home Secretary, he was responsible for overseeing internal security, disaster management, centre–state relations, and key policy decisions relating to law and order. His tenure coincided with crucial national developments that required careful coordination between the central and state governments.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India

On 25 September 2017, Rajiv Mehrishi was appointed the 13th Comptroller and Auditor General of India, a constitutional post responsible for auditing the accounts of the Union and state governments. As C&AG, he played an instrumental role in ensuring financial transparency and accountability in government expenditure.
During his tenure, the office of the C&AG conducted major audits across sectors such as defence, infrastructure, and public welfare programmes, strengthening oversight of government projects. He also represented India on international audit forums, including serving as Vice-Chairman of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors, thereby enhancing India’s presence in global public auditing.

Key Contributions and Administrative Approach

Rajiv Mehrishi’s contributions to public administration span finance, governance, and audit reforms.His key areas of impact include:

• Public Finance Management: As Finance Secretary, he emphasised fiscal prudence and policy consistency, particularly in areas of budgetary management and fiscal consolidation.
• Internal Security Governance: As Home Secretary, he focused on improving coordination mechanisms between the Union and the states, enhancing disaster-response systems, and managing national security frameworks.
• Transparency and Accountability: As C&AG, he strengthened the institution’s reputation for independent oversight, ensuring audits were timely and accessible to the public.

His approach was characterised by a balance of administrative rigour and pragmatic reform, making him one of the most respected bureaucrats of his generation.

Other Roles and Interests

Following his retirement from government service, Rajiv Mehrishi continued to contribute to public and corporate life. He has served as an independent director on the boards of several major Indian companies, including Dabur India Ltd and Piramal Enterprises Ltd, providing strategic guidance on governance and compliance.
Outside his professional sphere, he is known for his personal interest in culinary arts, particularly his hobby of making pickles. He developed his own brand named “Pickley – Taste of Dada”, which reflects his creative pursuits beyond public administration.

Recognition and Honours

In recognition of his exceptional service to the nation, Rajiv Mehrishi was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022, India’s third-highest civilian award. This honour underscored his decades-long contribution to the Indian bureaucracy and his leadership in public financial accountability.

Significance and Legacy

Rajiv Mehrishi’s professional journey stands as an exemplary model of civil service in India. His rare progression through multiple apex-level positions — Chief Secretary of a state, Finance Secretary, Home Secretary, and finally C&AG — illustrates the depth and versatility of his administrative expertise. His work has had a lasting impact on governance, especially in improving financial transparency, strengthening institutional accountability, and bridging the administrative interface between states and the Union government.