Rajiv Mehrishi, Indian Administrative Service Officer
Indian Administrative Service Officer

Rajiv Mehrishi

Born 16 November 1955 · Rajasthan

Serving as the 13th Comptroller and Auditor General of India from 2017 to 2020.

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Rajiv Mehrishi is a retired IAS officer of the 1978 batch belonging to the Rajasthan cadre who served as the 13th Comptroller and Auditor General of India (C&AG) and Vice Chairman of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors.

✨ A detail that surprised us

Rajiv Mehrishi’s hobby of making pickles evolved into a commercial brand called 'Pickley – Taste of Dada,' an unusual pastime for a former Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

1. 🌟 In 1978, Rajiv Mehrishi joined the Indian Administrative Service from the Rajasthan cadre, embarking on a career that spanned over four decades across diverse high-impact roles in both state and central governments.

2. As Chief Secretary of Rajasthan from December 2013 to October 2014, he introduced the biometric and bank-linked "Bhamashah" card, a precursor to India's Aadhaar system, revolutionizing social welfare disbursement in the state.

3. Between October 2014 and August 2015, Mehrishi served as the Union Finance Secretary and Economic Affairs Secretary, where he played a pivotal role in setting up the Monetary Policy Committee and contributed to the enactment of the Indian Bankruptcy Code and Competition Act.

4. From August 2015 to August 2017, he held the post of Union Home Secretary, overseeing critical national security and internal affairs during a period marked by significant geopolitical challenges.

5. 🍯 Upon taking oath on 25 September 2017 as the 13th Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Mehrishi simultaneously became Vice Chairman of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors, bringing Indian auditing standards to a global stage until August 2020.

6. His tenure as CAG saw him audit multi-billion dollar expenditures in defence, infrastructure, and public sectors, shaping transparency in government spending at a constitutional level.

7. Mehrishi is also known for his unique hobby of pickle-making, commercializing his own recipes under the brand "Pickley – Taste of Dada," blending bureaucratic precision with culinary craft.

8. ❓ How did a senior IAS officer transition from rewriting India's transport taxation laws and company acts to creating a branded pickle line while guiding national financial and security policies?

Awards & Honours

  • 🏅Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

In his stint as Joint Secretary in the Department of Company Affairs, Mehrishi was involved in rewriting the Companies Act, 1956, providing him deep insight into company law reforms in India.

🖼️ Through the Years

Rajiv Mehrishi meeting Nepal's Home Affairs Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi in New Delhi (2016).
Rajiv Mehrishi meeting Nepal's Home Affairs Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi in New Delhi (2016).
2016
Rajiv Mehrishi leading Indian delegation in talks with Chinese Vice-Minister Fu Zhenghua in New Delhi (2016).
Rajiv Mehrishi leading Indian delegation in talks with Chinese Vice-Minister Fu Zhenghua in New Delhi (2016).
2016
Rajiv Mehrishi holding talks with UK Home Office delegation led by Patsy Wilkinson in New Delhi (2017).
Rajiv Mehrishi holding talks with UK Home Office delegation led by Patsy Wilkinson in New Delhi (2017).
2017
Rajiv Mehrishi leading Indian delegation in talks with Bhutanese Secretary Sonam Topgay in New Delhi (2016).
Rajiv Mehrishi leading Indian delegation in talks with Bhutanese Secretary Sonam Topgay in New Delhi (2016).
2016

📅 The Journey

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Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Rajiv Mehrishi was born in Jaipur, setting roots in the culturally rich state of Rajasthan.

Wikipedia

Joined IAS, Rajasthan Cadre

Started his administrative career as a 1978 batch IAS officer assigned to Rajasthan cadre.

Appointed Chief Secretary of Rajasthan

Took charge as Rajasthan’s Chief Secretary, initiating reforms including the Bhamashah card.

Became Union Finance Secretary

Designated as Finance Secretary and Economic Affairs Secretary, contributing to major financial reforms.

Appointed Union Home Secretary

Managed internal security and national affairs as Union Home Secretary until 2017.

Assumed office as CAG of India

Became the 13th Comptroller and Auditor General of India and UN Panel Vice Chairman.

Retired as CAG of India

Completed term as CAG, concluding a 42-year bureaucratic career.

🏅

Awarded Padma Bhushan

Received India’s third highest civilian award for distinguished civil service.

Appointed independent director at Jio Financial Services

Joined the board of Jio Financial Services as an independent director, continuing influence in corporate governance.

+Add a moment
1955Birth
1978
2013
2014
2015
2017
2020
2022
2023

🗝️ Discoveries

🏆

Before the Aadhaar scheme was announced in 2009, Mehrishi conceptualized and introduced the biometric-linked Bhamashah card in Rajasthan, a pioneering move in digital identity for welfare.

Source: Tata Power Leadership Profile

🏆

Mehrishi simultaneously held the posts of Comptroller and Auditor General of India and Vice Chairman of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors from 2017 to 2020, representing India's auditing standards internationally.

Source: Wikipedia

👤

His hobby of making pickles led to a commercial brand named 'Pickley – Taste of Dada,' an uncommon venture for a bureaucrat who dealt with national security and finance.

Source: Indian Masterminds Article

🌏

Mehrishi played a key role in rewriting the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act rules, which became a model adopted by multiple Indian states.

Source: Piramal Finance Board Profile

🎥 Speeches & Recordings

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📖 Curated Sources

🌱 What changed because of them

Mehrishi’s introduction of the Bhamashah card pioneered biometric-based social welfare delivery, influencing India’s approach to financial inclusion before Aadhaar’s rise. His involvement in key economic reforms like the Monetary Policy Committee and the Indian Bankruptcy Code reshaped India's financial governance framework. As CAG and UN Panel Vice Chairman, he enhanced audit transparency across national and international institutions.

💬 Social Buzz

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