Praneet Choudhary takes charge as Deputy Director General at DG Shipping

The Government of India has cleared the appointment of Praneet Choudhary, an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer of the 2008 batch, to a senior post in the country’s maritime administration. He has been posted as Deputy Director General at the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Mumbai, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Choudhary’s induction into the ministry follows his empanelment for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways and his subsequent selection through the Central Staffing Scheme, which governs appointments of senior officers to key positions in the Union government.

As per the official notification, he will hold the Director-level post for a tenure of five years from the date he assumes charge, unless curtailed or extended by further government orders.

Based in Mumbai, the Directorate General of Shipping is the apex regulatory authority overseeing maritime safety, shipping operations, seafarer certification and India’s compliance with international maritime conventions. Choudhary’s appointment is expected to contribute to strengthening policy implementation and regulatory oversight in the sector.

The ministry has instructed that he be relieved from his current assignment immediately to enable him to join his new role without delay. The Department of Personnel and Training has also reiterated that officers appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme must report to their new postings within three weeks of the issue of the appointment order, in line with Appointments Committee of the Cabinet guidelines. Non-compliance with this timeline can lead to debarment under existing DoP&T rules.