Bharat Khera Assumes Charge as Secretary, MSME Ministry

Bharat Khera, a 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has taken over as Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), marking a key administrative transition at a time when the sector remains central to India’s economic growth agenda.

Khera brings with him a diverse and extensive administrative background spanning defence, commerce, technology, and state governance. Prior to this role, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, where he was involved in key policy and regulatory matters.

His tenure in the Ministry of Defence as Joint Secretary from 2014 to 2020 was particularly notable. During this period, he handled Indian Air Force-related matters, coordinated national-level events such as Republic Day celebrations, and oversaw institutions like the Border Roads Organisation. He was also involved in strengthening international defence cooperation.

Khera has contributed to India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem through board roles in key public sector undertakings, including Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited, Goa Shipyard Limited, and Hindustan Shipyard Limited. His involvement in these organisations aligned with broader efforts under the government’s Make in India initiative.

Subsequently, he served in the Cabinet Secretariat, where he handled responsibilities related to Commerce & Industry and Technology, particularly during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the state level, Khera has held several senior leadership roles in Himachal Pradesh, including Home Secretary and Principal Secretary across multiple departments, as well as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, giving him strong administrative and governance experience at both central and state levels.

Academically, he is an engineering graduate from BITS Pilani, holds a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University, and has completed a public policy programme at the Indian School of Business. He is also a Chevening Fellow from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

His appointment comes at a time when the MSME sector is navigating evolving challenges around financing, digitisation, supply chains, and global competitiveness, making leadership continuity and policy direction critical.