Arun Singhal: Details on his education, post details, roles and achievements.

Arun Singhal: Arun Singhal is an IAS officer from 1987 batch. He has held various significant positions in the Indian government and Is Currently serving as the Director General of the National Archives of India (New Delhi) as of March 2025.

Details on his early life and education.

He was born on April 15, 1965 in Ghaziabad ,district of Uttar Pradesh. He did his education in Electrical Engineering ( B.Tech and M.Tech).

When did he join government services and when did he was appointed as IAS?

Arun was in 1987 IAS batch and he joined government services as a IAS on August 24, 1987. His first post was as a assistant magistrate in Gorakhpur. He is currently on the post of Director General National Archives of India in New Delhi.

Details on the post he held till now.

In past he was also appointed in the post of Assistant Magistrate, executive magistrate, Joint secretary to the Government of India, Additional Commissioner, Technical Education department, Chief Election Officer (UP), Principal Secretary To Government Of UP and Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare department. He is currently Director General National Archives of India.

His role as Director General of the National Archives of India.

As, Director General of the National Archives of India (NAI), Arun holds a significant and multifaceted role focused on the management, preservation, and accessibility of India’s documentary heritage. His responsibilities are guided by the Public Records Act, 1993 and the Public Records Rules, 1997.

Some of Arun Singhal role as Director General of the National Archives are:

• He is a Custodian of National Records, in which he Overseeing the preservation of public records of enduring value belonging to the Government of India.
• He does Implementation of the Public Records Act in which he ensures the effective implementation of the Public Records Act, 1993 and its rules. This includes, supervising the management and control of the Archives, accepting the deposit of permanent public records after a prescribed period, managing the custody, use and withdrawal of public records and ensuring the proper arrangement, preservation, and exhibition of these records.
• He also enhancing Records Management Practices like analyzing, developing, promoting, and coordinating standards, procedures, and techniques for improving records management systems across Central Government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings. He is also advising record-creating agencies on the compilation, classification, and disposal of records.
• He does Preservation and Conservation like ensuring the maintenance, arrangement, and security of public records both within the Archives and in the originating agencies. He is also promoting the utilization of available space and the maintenance of equipment for preserving public records.

  

• He is facilitating Access and research like preparing inventories, indices, catalogues, and other reference tools to make records accessible. He is regulating access to public records for researchers and other users. He is providing authenticated copies of or extracts from public records.
• He is Capacity Building and Awareness like Organizing training programs in various disciplines of archives administration and records management. He is Promoting archival awareness among the general public through exhibitions and outreach activities. The NAI also houses the Museum of National Archives for this purpose.
• He is collaborating and coordinating by acting as the Secretariat for the Indian Historical Records Committee (IHRC) and the National Committee of Archivists (NCA), providing guidance on archival matters nationwide, fostering relationships between archivists and archival institutions at national and international levels and coordinating with various ministries and organizations on matters related to records and archives.
• He is Accepting Private Collections by having the authority to accept records from private sources that hold historical or national importance.
• He is managing Disposal of Records by Overseeing the process of destroying or disposing of public records according to established rules and regulations.
• He does emergency Preparedness by making arrangements for securing public records in the event of a national emergency.

What are his achievements?

Some of Arun Singhal achievements are:

• He proactively worked towards Drugs & Food Regulation.
• He was involved in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), which includes setting up new AIIMS.
• He contributed to reforms in medical education.
• He was providing COVID-19 training to food business operators through the FOSTAC program, training and certifying over two lakh food handlers.
• He is improving online services for licensing, registration, food imports, and the laboratory network.
• He launched the ‘Eat Smart Cities Challenge’ to encourage healthy and sustainable food environments in smart cities.

  

• He inaugurated an exhibition on ‘Indian Heritage Through Architecture’ showcasing the evolution of architecture in India.
• He has emphasized the historical ties between India and other nations, such as Oman, and has offered NAI’s technical assistance in the conservation and digitization of their archival wealth.
• He has interacted with staff at various Record Centers of the NAI, focusing on conservation projects and the implementation of the Public Records Act and Rules.
• He was empaneled as Secretary in the Government of India in June 2022.
• He has a “rich and varied experience of administrative work in diverse areas including Petroleum and Natural Gas, Industrial Development, Rural Development, Agriculture Marketing and Health & Family Welfare.

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