Nidhi Tiwari’s journey to the Prime Minister’s Office has been anything but ordinary. From being a gold medallist in Biochemistry and working as a scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to clearing the civil services examination and eventually becoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s private secretary, she has steadily moved through different stages of public service. (Image: Instagram/@officialpreetimahapatra)

Nidhi Tiwari is from Lucknow, where she completed her early education. She obtained a BSc in Biochemistry from Lucknow University in 2004, where she secured a gold medal. She later moved to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for higher studies. In 2005, she enrolled in an MSc programme in Biochemistry and completed her postgraduate degree in 2007, again earning a gold medal. (Image: Instgram/@yunis4845)

After completing her postgraduate studies, Nidhi set her sights on a career in scientific research. In 2007, she was selected at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and moved to Maharashtra for the job. She also reportedly topped her scientist training at BARC and received a gold medal. However, while she had established herself in the field of science, Nidhi had another ambition – to work in the civil services and contribute to public administration. (Image: LinkedIn)

Around 2008, Nidhi began preparing for competitive examinations while staying with her family. She first appeared for the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) examination in 2008 and was selected as an Assistant Commissioner in the Commercial Tax Department. She worked in the role for around two years before deciding to pursue her larger ambition of joining the higher civil services. (Image: LinkedIn)

Nidhi eventually decided to attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Since she could not prepare adequately from home, she moved to Delhi to focus on her studies. Her determination paid off. She appeared for the examination and successfully entered the civil services. (Image: X/@AryamanBharat)

Nidhi’s first civil-services result did not immediately give her the service she wanted. Because of her rank, she was allotted the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), but she chose not to join. Her goal was to enter either the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Instead of settling for a service she did not want, she decided to attempt the examination again. (Image: News18 Hindi)

In her next attempt in 2013, Nidhi secured All India Rank 96 in the general category. She opted for the Indian Foreign Service, fulfilling her ambition of becoming an IFS officer. She subsequently joined the 2014 IFS batch. Nidhi continued her strong academic record during her IFS training. She reportedly secured the first position at the IFS Training Centre in Mussoorie and received a gold medal. (Image: associationdiplomats.org)

In 2017, Nidhi received a desk posting at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi. She was later posted to Vienna, Austria, where she spent around two years until 2019. During her Vienna posting, she was responsible for coordinating India’s various issues with countries associated with the United Nations. Her experience in international affairs would later prove valuable in her work at the Prime Minister’s Office. (Image: Facebook/@Diplomats of India)

Nidhi joined the Prime Minister’s Office in November 2022. Before becoming private secretary, she served as Deputy Secretary in the PMO. Earlier, she had worked as an Under Secretary in the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, handling sensitive matters involving international security. (Image: Facebook/@Diplomats of India)

As Deputy Secretary in the PMO, Nidhi worked in the Foreign and Security vertical, reporting to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Her responsibilities included matters related to foreign affairs, nuclear energy, security and issues concerning Rajasthan. Nidhi’s rise through the government culminated in her appointment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s private secretary. Her appointment was also notable because she became the first woman to serve as Modi’s private secretary during his tenure as Prime Minister. (Image: LinkedIn)