New Delhi, July 2 . Shekhar Dutt, a decorated former Defence Secretary and ex-Governor of Chhattisgarh, passed away here today after a brief illness.
He was 76.
A 1969-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Dutt had a distinguished career spanning the armed forces, civil service, and diplomatic assignments. He served in several key capacities, including Deputy National Security Advisor.
Before entering the civil service, Dutt joined the Indian Army as a Short Service Commission officer and served with distinction during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. He was awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry while serving with the 218 Medium Regiment.
In the Madhya Pradesh government, he held several important portfolios including Principal Secretary in the Departments of Tribal and Scheduled Caste Welfare, School Education, and Sports & Youth Welfare.
In 2010, he took oath as the Governor of Chhattisgarh, serving in that capacity until his resignation in 2014.
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