Who is Nidhi Tewari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s newly appointed private secretary?

Nidhi Tewari served as the Deputy Secretary at the PMO until being elevated to the post of PM Modi's Personal Secretary now.

By: Express Web Desk
New Delhi | Updated: March 31, 2025 04:57 PM IST

2 min read

Nidhi Tewari's appointment as the PM Modi's personal secretary was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (File photo)

Nidhi Tewari's appointment as the PM's personal secretary was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. (Credit: Unofficial: Diplomats of India)

Nidhi Tewari, a 2014-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has been appointed as the Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her appointment, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, was confirmed in an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on 29 March, taking effect immediately.

A steady ascent in the PMO

Tewari joined as an Under Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in November 2022 before being promoted to Deputy Secretary in January 2023. Before her latest elevation, she had been serving in this capacity, handling key portfolios related to foreign and security affairs.

Background and early career

Originally from Mehmurganj in , Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi—Prime Minister Modi’s parliamentary constituency—Tewari has steadily built a career in governance and diplomacy. She secured the 96th rank in the 2013 Civil Services Examination, having previously worked as an Assistant Commissioner (Commercial Tax) in Varanasi while preparing for the exam.

Before her tenure in the PMO, she was posted in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where was part of the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division. Her expertise in international relations proved crucial as she transitioned to the PMO, where she contributed to the ‘Foreign and Security’ vertical under National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

Key Responsibilities and impact

Tewari has been involved in strategic policy areas, including External Affairs, Atomic Energy, and Security Affairs, in addition to overseeing matters related to the state of Rajasthan. She played an important part during India’s G20 presidency.

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