Praveen Prakash is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, recognized for his central role in the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and his later prominence in Andhra Pradesh’s state administration.

When SBM was launched in 2014, Praveen Prakash was appointed as its National Mission Director (at the Joint Secretary level), tasked with coordinating the nationwide push for improved sanitation—including elimination of open defecation and eradication of manual scavenging.

During his tenure, the mission placed emphasis on technology-driven solutions: he oversaw measures such as GPS-based tracking of sanitation assets, online portals for citizen feedback, and digital dashboards for progress monitoring—part of efforts to build accountability and transparency into large-scale civic sanitation delivery.

In 2017, his tenure as SBM mission leader ended prematurely when he was repatriated to his cadre state in Andhra Pradesh before completing his central deputation.

Subsequently, he returned to state service and rose to become a key figure in the government under Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy: he was appointed Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD)—positions that made him one of the most powerful bureaucrats in the state.

As GAD Secretary and Principal Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), he wielded broad influence—handling appointments, transfers, interdepartment coordination, and major administrative decisions. His dual role gave him de facto control over much of the state machinery, earning him a reputation as the CM’s “go-to officer.”

After a long and eventful career, Praveen Prakash opted for voluntary retirement (VRS) in July 2024, a decision that came in the wake of political changes in Andhra Pradesh.

In sum, Praveen Prakash’s career reflects a trajectory from national-level mission director—guiding one of India’s largest social-sanitation programs—to a state-level power center shaping governance and administrative policy. His work on Swachh Bharat helped institutionalize digital and monitoring tools in sanitation delivery, and his later roles gave him significant executive responsibility in state administration. If you like, I can also prepare a concise 150-word bio of him for use in briefs or speaker introductions.