After more than a decade, the coveted post of Press Secretary to the President of India has returned to the government’s Indian Information Service (IIS) cadre.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and consisting of Union Home Minister has appointed Manisha Verma, a 1995-batch IIS officer, as Press Secretary to President Droupadi Murmu.

Verma, 55, will replace Ajay Singh, who served as Press Secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind for three years and was again deputed with President Murmu. Singh's extended tenure ended on September 26 this year, warranting a fresh appointment. Verma moves on from the Ministry of Health, where she served as the government's media officer for 12 years, including during Covid-19.

The last IIS officer to serve as

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