Insider track | Rumblings in Congress after Bihar rout

Countdown on for Petroleum SecretaryWith Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain moving to the Eighth Central Pay Commission and his retirement approaching, conversations have turned to succession. Atish Chandra, a 1994-batch Bihar-cadre IAS officer now a Special Secretary in the PMO, is said to be a leading contender. The moment adds its own weight — global energy dynamics are shifting quickly, and major powers are digging in on questions of fossil-fuel access and pricing. The government reportedly wants a senior administrator with a strong grounding in both domestic and international energy markets. Chandra’s experience is seen as aligning neatly with that expectation.Gap at top of India’s skilling missionIn the skill development ecosystem, a persistent concern is making the rounds: both NCVET and NSDC have been headless for over 6 months. Nothing looks broken on the surface — training flows continue, paperwork moves, and stakeholders keep to their schedules. But the absence of formal leadership at two key bodies that set standards, accredit partners, and shape long-term skilling pathways has begun to feel prolonged. Industry executives admit decisions are getting cleared, just at a slower, more cautious pace. Files hover a little longer, and strategic shifts pause mid-air. For now, the machinery runs, but many quietly hope the leadership vacuum closes soon.



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