The government of India yesterday appointed Rahul Khullar as the new secretary in the ministry of commerce replacing G K Pillai, who has been appointed as the new Home Secretary. 

Prior to this Khullar served as the secretary of the Department of Disinvestment. Before that he was with the Commerce Ministry as a special sSecretary for two years.

Khullar obtained his Masters degree in Economics from Delhi University and entered the IAS in 1975. He taught at Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University, USA (1983-85) and served as a visiting professor in the department of eEconomics, Boston University, USA during 1990-91 from where he obtained his doctorate.
 
During his tenure in the commerce ministry, Khullar handled negotiations related to the Doha Round of world trade talks.

Tthe outgoing commerce secretary, G K Pillai will take over as an Officer on Special Duty in the home ministry on June 11.

A 1972 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, Pillai will hold the office of home secretary for two years. He will replace Madhukar Gupta whose tenure has been extended by the previous government for two months.

Pillai will take over as the full-fledged home secretary after Gupta retires on June 30.

Pillai had worked in diverse fields in the state government of Kerala including as district collector of Quilon; special secretary for industries, especially the traditional industries of cashew, coir and handlooms; secretary, health and as principal secretary to the chief minister of Kerala.

In the central government, he had worked in the ministries of defence, shipping and transport and in the ministry of home affairs, dealing with the North Eastern states.

Pillai is expected to oversee the implementation of key initiatives in the MHA, including the setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), issue of unique identity cards to all citizens by 2011 and intelligence-based operations planned against Left-wing extremists and other militant groups.