IFS Officer Nidhi Tewari’s Stellar Journey: From Academy Gold Medalist to PM’s Private Secretary
By Amit Singh
Pune, 03 April 2025: Nidhi Tewari, an accomplished Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 2014 batch, has been appointed as the Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The appointment, approved by the Cabinet’s Appointments Committee (ACC), was announced by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). She will serve in Level 12 of the pay matrix on a co-terminus basis or until further orders.
An illustrious career marked by outstanding achievements has defined Nidhi Tewari’s journey. Born and raised in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, she pursued her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where she demonstrated academic brilliance. Tewari secured the 96th rank in the 2013 Civil Services Examination, joining the Indian Foreign Service in 2014.
Early in her career, she worked as an Assistant Commissioner in Uttar Pradesh’s Commercial Tax Department before 2013. After joining the Indian Foreign Service in 2014, she took on diplomatic assignments and responsibilities in international relations. From 2014 to 2022, she served as Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), specifically in the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division.
In November 2022, she was appointed Under Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and her expertise in foreign and security affairs led to her promotion as Deputy Secretary in January 2023, where she played a vital role in the ‘Foreign and Security’ division, reporting directly to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Recognized for her exemplary performance, Tewari was awarded the EAM’s Gold Medal for Best Officer Trainee in 2014 and the Ambassador
Bimal Sanyal Memorial Medal for Best Dissertation. Her contributions during training earned her a place in the Hall of Fame at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.
Before joining the PMO, Tewari’s work in the MEA significantly impacted India’s foreign policy and security matters. Her insights in international relations and strategic affairs positioned her as a key player in shaping India’s stance on global issues.
With her new role as Private Secretary in March 2025, Nidhi Tewari’s career trajectory underscores a commitment to public service and diplomacy, marked by excellence and dedication.
