The central government has extended the tenure of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, by another year until June 28, 2026. This marks his fourth extension in the role. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the extension on a contractual basis, maintaining the existing terms and conditions.
Breaking Convention with Lateral Entry
In a notable deviation from the traditional practice of appointing career bureaucrats, the Centre had first appointed Kotecha—a specialist in Ayurveda—as Secretary of the Ayush Ministry in 2017. The Centre originally appointed him as Special Secretary in June 2017, following his work as chief consultant at Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic in Jaipur.
Previous Extensions and Continued Leadership
As reported by theweek, since his initial appointment, Rajesh Kotecha received two consecutive two-year extensions in 2020 and 2022. Last year, the government granted him a one-year extension, which was set to expire on June 28, 2025. With the latest decision, his leadership will now continue through June 2026.
Kotecha’s Role in Advancing Traditional Medicine
Under Kotecha’s stewardship, the Ministry of Ayush has gained greater visibility and policy relevance, particularly in integrating traditional medicine into the national healthcare landscape. His reappointment signals the Centre’s continued focus on strengthening and institutionalizing India’s traditional medical systems.