New Delhi, Mar 17 (ANI): Alok Rawat took charge as Secretary of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) here today.

Before joining the UPSC, Rawat was Principal Secretary, Planning and Development cum Development Commissioner cum Principal Secretary (PIME-NDC), Government of Sikkim, since June 2005.

Rawat joined the IAS in 1977 and belongs to the Sikkim cadre. He has held diverse assignments in his 30 years of rich administrative experience.

From June 2000 to June 2005, he was Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. He has also worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Rawat held various posts in Government of Sikkim, including Resident Commissioner, Commissioner cum Secretary, Information and Public Relations, and Finance Secretary, as also other district-level field postings.

Rawat did his graduation in Physics from Lucknow University in 1974. In 1989, he completed a post graduation in development studies in London, and in 1997 he completed a one-year course on national security. (ANI)