Chanchal Kumar, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Bihar cadre, assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on 1 April 2026. He succeeds Sanjay Jaju, who has been assigned as Secretary of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

The appointment places Kumar at the helm of the ministry responsible for regulating India’s broadcast media, film industry, print publications and the government’s public communication machinery. MIB oversees key institutions including Prasar Bharati, the Press Information Bureau, the Central Board of Film Certification and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

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Kumar arrives at MIB after serving as Secretary in both the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. His tenure at Civil Aviation coincided with a period of rapid expansion in India’s domestic air travel market.

Earlier, Kumar served as Managing Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), a body responsible for highway construction in border and northeastern regions. The corporation executes strategic road projects in areas considered critical for national security and regional connectivity.

Career spanning Bihar administration and central ministries

In the Bihar state government, Kumar held several senior positions. These included Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary to the Chief Minister, roles that placed him at the centre of state-level policy decisions. He also served as District Magistrate in multiple districts, the senior-most administrative position at the district level.

Kumar holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) and Master of Technology (M.Tech) degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He subsequently earned a doctorate in economics from Patna University.

Outgoing Secretary Sanjay Jaju moves to DoNER

Jaju welcomed Kumar at the ministry headquarters along with other MIB officials and representatives from attached media units, the ministry stated. Jaju now takes charge at DoNER, the ministry Kumar has vacated.

The change in leadership comes as MIB continues to work on regulatory frameworks for digital news media and over-the-top streaming platforms. The ministry is also responsible for implementing the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act and overseeing the transition of Prasar Bharati’s operations.

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