No Eligible Successor: Centre Clarifies DCGI's Contractual Reappointment
New Delhi: Amid an ongoing legal challenge in the Madurai High Court, the Central government has clarified that its decision to reappoint Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) after his retirement, was taken in "public interest" and that there was "no suitable successor" available at present.
According to an office memorandum dated July 14, reviewed by News18, the government dismissed the legal challenge to the reappointment as “malafide” and “speculative”, asserting that, “None of the four serving Joint DCGIs are suitable.”
The government further stated, “Keeping the position vacant would adversely impact the industry.”
The reappointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and is for a one-year contractual term, beginning March 1, 2025, or until a new permanent DCGI is selected—whichever is earlier.
The Matter
Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi was appointed as the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on February 23, 2023. He retired upon reaching the superannuation age on February 28, 2025, but was reappointed on a contractual basis from March 1, 2025, in the absence of a suitable successor. The matter came under legal scrutiny in July 2025, prompting the government to issue a memorandum on July 14 defending the reappointment as necessary and in public interest.
The government emphasized that Dr Raghuvanshi’s leadership remains crucial for ongoing regulatory reforms at the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The memo noted, “Under his able leadership, substantial reforms have been brought out in CDSCO. Further regulatory reforms are being undertaken in CDSCO, which include global benchmarking, automation of the regulatory processes, and alignment with global standards.”
The memo also warned that a leadership gap would hinder India’s efforts to create a “world-class pharmaceutical ecosystem”, including developments in CAR-T therapies and gene-based treatments.
Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that although 18 candidates have applied for the position since August 2024, none were found eligible or suitable at this stage. Many of the candidates had unresolved issues or lacked sufficient seniority and regulatory experience.
Also Read: Dr Raghuvanshi To Continue as DCGI Amidst Search For Successor; 18 Candidates Vie For Top Post
“The memo stated that several candidates were currently not eligible to take charge due to certain issues on the personal or legal front,” the report added.
News18 reports that the government has indicated it requires “considerable time” to assess applicants and finalize names for submission to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
