VG Somani replaces Eswara Reddy as new Drugs Controller General of India

New Delhi: A couple of years wait for a full-time Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) recently ended after the Government appointed V G Somani as the new DCGI on August 14, 2019. Somani will replace Dr r S Eswara Reddy who held the post on an Adhoc basis since 2018.

DCGI heads the Indian drug regulatory body the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). DCGI lays down the standard and quality of manufacturing, selling, import and distribution of drugs in India.

• Acting as an appellate authority in case of any dispute regarding the quality of drugs.


• Preparation and maintenance of national reference standard.


• To bring about the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.


• Training of Drug Analysts deputed by State Drug Control Laboratories and other Institutions


• Analysis of Cosmetics received as survey samples from CDSCO (central drug standard control organisation)

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Presently, Somani is Joint Drugs Controller of India. He was in the race for the top post at the Indian drug regulatory body with S Eswara Reddy, who was initially appointed interim DCGI in February 2018 for three months and since then has been continuing on quarterly extensions.

As per a recent media report by Money Control, "The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr VG Somani, Joint Drugs Controller (India), CDSCO, to the post of DCGI, in Level 14 of the Pay Matrix as per the 7th CPC, on deputation basis, for a period of three years with effect from the date of his assumption of charge of the post."

"The appointment has been made in accordance to the Central Pay Commission (CPC) on deputation including short term contract basis for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders whichever is earlier," read the government statement.