Posted On:
25 SEP 2026 5:01PM by PIB Kolkata
Kolkata, September 25, 2026
Shri Santosh Ajmera, a senior Indian Information Service officer, has assumed the charge as Additional Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB), and Vice-Chancellor, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata.
Prior to these assignments, Shri Ajmera, served on various important positions in Govt of India, including as Joint Secretary, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Director, Election Commission of India, OSD for National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) and as In-charge of Maharashtra and Goa region for publicity and campaign activities. He also served the then Union Ministers, Shri Prakash Javadekar and Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore.
His prior experiences also include Government communication, media engagement, public outreach and of films during his earlier stints, and during the mission mode project for conservation, preservation, digitisation and restoration of filmic heritage for the country, during NFHM project, would come handy while serving at both the organisations at PIB and SRFTI in Kolkata.
Shri Ajmera is a 2008 batch, Indian Information Service officer, received an UK-based International Electoral Award for Citizen Engagement, 2024 from the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies, for his exemplary contribution towards the conduct of Indian elections and voter engagement activities, during the Parliamentary Elections 2024.
Earlier, Shri Ajmera headed the National Film Heritage Mission, the Government of India’s flagship programme for preserving, restoring and digitising India’s filmic heritage. It was one of the biggest projects in the world, towards preservation and promotion of India’s Cinematic heritage. Shri Ajmera is also known for his contribution to digital public communication. He conceptualised and established the Social Media Communication Hub and Talkathon, a platform designed to strengthen direct engagement between the Government and citizens through social media. For this work, he received the Web Ratna Platinum Award in 2014.
An accomplished author, Shri Ajmera has written 10 books on governance, ethics, public administration, leadership and electoral processes. His publications include Electing the First Citizen: An Illustrated Chronicle of India’s Presidential Elections, published by the Election Commission of India and presented as the first copy to the Hon’ble President of India, and a book titled Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude, published by McGraw Hill Education, among few other publications.
Shri Ajmera has completed his Masters in International Electoral Management and Practices and also did the certification courses through IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIT Mumbai. He has done a Film Preservation Programme also through International Federation of Film Archives.
*********
SSS/Kol/25.9.26….