Sushma Taishete

Sushma Taishete is a retired Joint Secretary (Research & Development), Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, with 35 years of public service.

Positions held

8 roles across central and state government over the course of Sushma's service.

1. 2020 – 2024

   Joint Secretary (Research & Development)

   Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India · India

   Led the R&D portfolio of DAE covering 5 R&D institutions (BARC, IGCAR, RRCAT, VECC, GCNEP), 11 aided institutions including TIFR and NISER, and boards (NBHM, BRNS, NRB). Initiated policy on Small and Medium Reactors (SMRs); steered Atma Nirbhar Bharat work on incubation centres, a research reactor for radiopharmaceuticals, and PPP in food irradiation. Member of the ITER Council; oversaw budgetary sanction for 12 mega-science projects including ITER, CERN, LIGO and SKA.

2. 2018 – 2020

   Joint Secretary (Access to Justice)

   Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice · India

   Led Tele-Law, Pro-Bono and Nyaya Mitra access-to-justice initiatives. Nodal officer for the 2019 Constitution Day and Fundamental Duties campaign across all Ministries and States.

3. 2015 – 2018

   Joint Secretary

   Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas · New Delhi

   Coordinated MOP&NG across NITI Aayog, DOPT and Parliamentary forums; led Corporate Affairs for appointments across 15 oil & gas PSUs. Super-headed the disinvestment of HPCL and creation of the ONGC-HPCL Megaoil Company following the 2017 Budget announcement. Set up the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) at Visakhapatnam under the AP Reorganisation Act, the Energy Institute Centre of Excellence at Bangalore, and the RGIPT campus at Shivsagar, Assam.

4. 2011 – 2015

   Director (Marketing & Gas Projects)

   Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas · New Delhi

   Handled petroleum marketing policy, natural gas allocation, LNG coordination and PSU governance. Served as government nominee director across multiple public sector energy enterprises.

5. 2007 – 2011

   Principal Administrative Officer & Adviser (Gender)

   National Health Systems Resource Centre · New Delhi

   Led administrative and strategic implementation support for National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Oversaw gender policy, state coordination (Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, J&K) and healthcare reform programmes.

6. 1998 – 2007

   Under Secretary (ID/PNDT)

   Ministry of Health & Family Welfare · New Delhi

   Worked on rural health infrastructure, National Rural Health Mission and implementation of the PC&PNDT Act. Developed national operational guidelines and health-sector reform frameworks; initiated Empowered Action Group (EAG) schemes.

7. 1991 – 1998

   Section Officer

   Ministry of Defence, Government of India · New Delhi

   Handled civilian administration, defence procurement coordination, export promotion activities and defence exhibitions under Army Purchase Organization.

8. 1985 – 1988

   Teacher

   Zilla Parishad School · Thane, Maharashtra

   Worked as a school teacher prior to joining civil services.

Achievements & education