New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved the appointment of 1974 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Ajit Kumar Seth as the next cabinet secretary, the country's top bureaucratic post.

 
 “The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Shri Ajit Kumar Seth, IAS as the next Cabinet Secretary with effect from June 14, 2011,” said a press note issued by the  ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions.
 
 Seth, currently secretary, public grievances and coordination, will succeed K.M. Chandrashekhar, who has been the incumbent since 2007. Chandrashekhar has already got three extensions in his tenure.
 
 The ministry also said that the prime minister approved that Seth, belonging to Uttar Pradesh cadre, will serve as Officer on Special Duty in the cabinet secretariat till June 13.
 
 The cabinet secretary has a fixed two-year term.