In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Joint Secretary Sanjiv Shankar has been transferred to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor.
This move comes just ahead of the highly anticipated World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, scheduled to be held in Mumbai from May 1st to 4th. Simultaneously, Prabhat, a 1993 batch Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer, has been elevated to the position of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Sanjiv Shankar, an Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer from the 1993 batch, brings a wealth of experience in tax administration, public policy, and the broadcasting sector. His tenure as Joint Secretary in the MIB has been marked by his involvement in policy formulation for media platforms, content regulation, and digital transformation initiatives. His transfer to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor signifies a new chapter in his bureaucratic career, leveraging his financial acumen in a different sector.
Concurrently, Prabhat, an officer from the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) of the same 1993 batch, has been appointed as the new Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. With a strong background in human resource management and administrative governance within the Indian Railways, Prabhat’s elevation to this key position in the I&B Ministry is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the ministry’s administrative functions.
This bureaucratic reshuffle within the MIB gains significance as it occurs just weeks before the commencement of WAVES 2025. The summit, organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the Indian Music Industry (IMI), aims to position India as a global hub for innovation, creativity, and collaboration in the media, entertainment, and technology sectors. WAVES 2025 will encompass various key sectors including broadcasting, films, gaming, animation, visual effects, music, advertising, digital and social media, and emerging technologies like AI and XR.
The summit will feature a ‘Create in India Challenge’, an ‘Anti-Piracy Challenge’, exhibitions, conferences, and a ‘Bharat Pavilion’ showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage. The timing of the leadership change raises questions about its potential impact on the final preparations and execution of this significant global event for the Indian media and entertainment industry.
WAVES 2025 is envisioned as a platform to foster discussions on the future of the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, attract investments, and promote India’s soft power through its creative content. The summit aims to bring together industry leaders, innovators, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of the M&E landscape in India. The appointment of Prabhat as the new Additional Secretary in the MIB suggests a continued focus on efficient administration and support for the ministry’s ambitious goals in the media and entertainment sector, including the successful execution of WAVES 2025.
Summary:
- MIB Joint Secretary Sanjiv Shankar has been transferred to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor.
- Prabhat, an IRPS officer, has been appointed as the new Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- These bureaucratic changes come shortly before the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai.
- WAVES 2025 aims to promote innovation and collaboration in India’s media and entertainment sector.