New Delhi: Mrs. Vibha Puri Das today took charge as the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Das is an Indian Administration Service officer of the 1976 batch, Uttaranchal Cadre. Prior to this posting, she was Addl. Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training.

Das's earlier stints in the Central Government include that of Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and Executive Director, Central Social Welfare Board.

Her other earlier postings include serving as Principal Secretary and Commissioner, Forest and Rural Development, Uttaranchal and Principal Secretary, Home and Transport of Uttaranchal.

She has also been Addl. Chief Executive officer of the Greater Noida Authority, Vice Chairperson, Ghaziabad Development Authority, and Special Secretary (Finance), Government of U.P.

Das is an M.A. in Political Science from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

She has also done a Certificate Course in International Approaches to Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation in the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK.

She has edited the newsletter of the South Asia Rural Reconstruction Association and Worked with SEWA, Ahmedabad to develop curriculum for human rights based on home based workers' movement.