New Delhi: In a major bureaucratic development, senior IAS officer Sunil Kumar Barnwal has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Authority (NHA). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his appointment, granting him the rank of Additional Secretary in the Government of India.

Barnwal, a 1997-batch IAS officer from the Jharkhand cadre, previously served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. With over two decades of administrative experience, his leadership is expected to strengthen the functioning of the NHA at a crucial phase of India’s healthcare transformation.

The National Health Authority is the apex body responsible for implementing the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme. It plays a pivotal role in expanding access to affordable healthcare and ensuring effective delivery of health services to millions of citizens.

As CEO of NHA, Barnwal will be entrusted with guiding the authority’s strategic direction, policy implementation, and collaboration with state governments and stakeholders to ensure efficient execution of health programs. His appointment comes as part of a wider bureaucratic reshuffle by the Central Government, assigning key officers to leadership roles in various ministries and departments.

Healthcare experts believe Barnwal’s administrative expertise and governance experience will help the NHA accelerate health reforms, enhance service delivery, and take forward India’s commitment to universal health coverage.

This appointment marks a significant step in strengthening India’s healthcare system and ensuring that flagship health schemes like Ayushman Bharat reach every section of society.