“I have received the government's orders and will be joining as OSD in the home ministry today,” Goswami told rediff.com on the phone.
Goswami is presently serving as the secretary in the ministry of social justice and empowerment..
His appointment as the new home secretary was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Appointments this week and relevant
Goswami’s name figured in a list of three probables for the coveted post. He was selected over the other two -- Secretary in Steel Ministry D R S Chaudhary, a 1977 batch officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, and Secretary of Personnel Pradeep Kumar Mishra, a 1976 batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
He is the first Jammu and Kashmir cadre officer to have been appointed as the Union home secretary.
Goswami has had an illustrious career -- he has served his home state in various capacities, the last being as principal secretary in the industries and commerce department, before moving to the Centre on deputation.
Goswami also served as the principal secretary to the then chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.