He succeeds Shashi Kant Sharma, who demitted office on September 22.

Former Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi took over as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on Monday.

Mr. Mehrishi succeeds Shashi Kant Sharma, who demitted office on September 22, officials said.

President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Mehrishi (62) at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan that was attended by Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi among other dignitaries, the officials said.

Mr. Mehrishi, a 1978 batch (retired) IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, completed his two-year fixed term as Home Secretary last month.

Mr. Sharma took over as the CAG on May 23, 2013. He was Defence Secretary prior to this appointment.

Mr. Mehrishi will have a tenure of about three years.

The CAG is appointed for a term of six years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

As a constitutional functionary, the CAG is primarily entrusted with the responsibility of auditing the accounts of the Union government and of the State governments.

CAG reports are laid before Parliament and legislatures of the States.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the newly sworn in Comptroller and Auditor General Rajiv Mehrishi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Monday. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Mr. Mehrishi, who hails from Rajasthan, holds an MBA degree from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (U.K.).

He holds Master of Arts (M.A.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees from THE Delhi University.

Mr. Mehrishi has held several posts in both his State cadre Rajasthan and in the Centre.

Before his appointment as the Home Secretary, he worked as the Economic Affairs Secretary and Chief Secretary of Rajasthan.

Mr. Mehrishi has also worked as Secretary in Departments of Chemicals and Fertilisers, and Overseas Indian Affairs.