**Executive Summary**
Shri Bharat Khera, a 1995-batch IAS officer, assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) on May 1, 2026. Bringing over three decades of administrative experience, Shri Khera is tasked with strengthening a sector that contributes more than 30% to India’s GDP. His leadership aims to advance the MSME sector's role in achieving the national vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047."
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Professional Profile and Experience**
* Shri Bharat Khera is an IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre with over 30 years of experience in Central and State Government roles.
* Prior to this appointment, he served as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
* During the Covid-19 pandemic, he contributed to strategic policy-making as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, overseeing Commerce & Industry and Technology verticals.
* **Defence and Infrastructure Contributions**
* Served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence (2014–2020), handling the Indian Air Force, Border Roads Organisation, and international cooperation.
* Coordinated national ceremonial events, including Republic Day celebrations, for four consecutive years (2017–2020).
* Held board positions at major shipbuilding entities, including Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Goa Shipyard, and Hindustan Shipyard.
* Played a significant role in promoting the "Make in India" initiative and defence infrastructure projects.
* **State-Level Leadership in Himachal Pradesh**
* Held various high-level portfolios including Home Secretary and Principal Secretary for Public Works, Power, State Taxes & Excise, and Information & Public Relations.
* Served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Managing Director of HPMC and the State Industrial Development Corporation.
* **Educational Qualifications**
* Holds a degree in Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University.
* Completed the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy at ISB and is a Chevening Gurukul Fellow from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
**Impact Analysis**
**Shri Bharat Khera**
**Impact**
He assumes the highest administrative office within the Ministry of MSME, taking responsibility for a sector critical to India's employment, manufacturing, and exports.
**Action Required**
Direct the ministry’s strategic initiatives to strengthen the sector and align its growth with the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision.
**Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)**
**Impact**
The Ministry receives leadership from an official with extensive experience in technology, commerce, and industrial development.
**Action Required**
Implement the Secretary’s commitment to advancing the sector's role in the national economy and supporting the "Make in India" initiative.
**The MSME Sector**
**Impact**
The sector, which provides 30% of India's GDP, is targeted for strategic strengthening under new leadership to boost its contribution to manufacturing and exports.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders within the sector are expected to benefit from policies aimed at achieving long-term developmental goals and national economic integration.
Key Entities Referenced
Bharat Khera: A 1995-batch IAS officer who has assumed charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME): The primary government body responsible for the development and regulation of the MSME sector, which contributes significantly to India's GDP and employment.
Viksit Bharat 2047: The national vision and goal to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, which the MSME sector is committed to advancing.
Make in India: A major national initiative focused on manufacturing and infrastructure development, which the new Secretary previously contributed to promoting.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Bharat Khera Assumes Charge as Secretary,
Ministry of MSME
Posted On: 01 MAY 2026 1:38PM by PIB Delhi
Shri Bharat Khera has assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
A 1995-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Shri
Khera brings with him more than three decades of administrative experience across key assignments
in both the Central and State Governments. Prior to assuming his present role, he served as
Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
During his distinguished tenure in the Government of India, Shri Khera served for over five years as
Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence from November 2014 to February 2020. As Joint
Secretary (Air), he handled matters related to the Indian Air Force and was also entrusted with the
responsibility of coordinating national ceremonial events, including Republic Day celebrations, for
four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020. He additionally oversaw matters related to the Border
Roads Organisation and international cooperation in the Ministry of Defence.
While serving in the Department of Defence Production, Shri Khera was a member of the Board of
Directors of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited,
Goa Shipyard Limited and Hindustan Shipyard Limited. He contributed significantly to defence
infrastructure projects and the promotion of the Make in India initiative.Subsequently, Shri Khera served as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat for nearly two years,
where he handled the Commerce & Industry and Technology verticals and contributed to strategic
policy-making during the Covid-19 pandemic.
An Electronics Engineer from BITS Pilani, Shri Khera holds a Master of Public Administration
degree from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University, and has completed the Advanced
Management Programme in Public Policy from the Indian School of Business (ISB). He was also a
Chevening Gurukul Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
In the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Khera has held several important positions, including
Home Secretary and Principal Secretary of departments such as Public Works, General
Administration, State Taxes & Excise, Information & Public Relations, and Power. He also served as
Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. Earlier in his career, he worked as Managing Director of
the State Road Transport Corporation, State Industrial Development Corporation and HPMC.
The MSME sector today contributes over 30 per cent to India’s GDP and plays a pivotal role in
employment generation, manufacturing and exports. As Secretary, MSME, Shri Bharat Khera is
committed to strengthening the sector and advancing its role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat
2047
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
E-mail hipessi[at]gmail[dot]com
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