Dr. Mayank Sharma Assumes Office as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA)

On March 1, 2025, Dr. Mayank Sharma took charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), marking a significant milestone in the administration of India’s defence financial management. A distinguished 1989-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), Dr. Sharma has dedicated over three decades to serving the Government of India in various key roles.

With an extensive background in defence accounts, financial governance, international diplomacy, and anti-corruption initiatives, his appointment as CGDA is expected to bring valuable expertise to the department, ensuring fiscal discipline and transparency in defence-related expenditures.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and Government Roles

Dr. Mayank Sharma has had an illustrious career within the Defence Accounts Department (DAD), where he played a pivotal role in streamlining financial operations, audit processes, and budget allocations for India’s defence forces. His tenure in the Cabinet Secretariat further showcased his ability to navigate high-stakes policymaking and governance at the highest levels.

During his decades-long service, Dr. Sharma has been instrumental in:

• Overseeing defence expenditure management with a focus on efficiency and transparency.
• Implementing financial reforms to enhance the accountability of defence spending.
• Advising senior government officials on policy frameworks related to defence finance and budgeting.

His experience in managing complex financial structures and ensuring fiscal prudence will be crucial as he takes the helm of CGDA, a key institution responsible for auditing and disbursing defence-related expenditures.

Global Representation and Diplomatic Assignments

India’s Representative at the United Nations and International Organizations

Apart from his contributions to India’s defence financial administration, Dr. Mayank Sharma has played a vital role in representing India at various international organizations, significantly contributing to global policy dialogues on crime prevention, anti-corruption, and financial governance.

His international assignments include:

• Alternate Permanent Representative of India at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• Representative at the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
• Delegate at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), where he worked on international commercial law frameworks.

His active participation in global governance discussions has helped shape India’s stance on crime prevention, anti-corruption, and international financial law enforcement.

Engagement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy

A firm advocate for transparency and ethical governance, Dr. Sharma has also represented India at the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), an intergovernmental organization dedicated to combating corruption worldwide. His contributions in this area have been critical in strengthening India’s position on anti-corruption measures, financial accountability, and institutional ethics at the international level.

Role at the Indian Embassy in Vienna

As the Head of the Consular Division at the Indian Embassy in Vienna, Dr. Sharma was entrusted with overseeing India’s consular affairs in Austria. His responsibilities included:

• Managing diplomatic relations between India and international organizations based in Vienna.
• Handling high-level Indian delegations at UNODC.
• Ensuring smooth operations of consular services, including visa processing, expatriate welfare, and diplomatic communications.

His experience in Vienna provided him with a deep understanding of international diplomatic protocols, global governance frameworks, and multilateral negotiations.