When Girish Chandra Murmu took oath as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on Saturday, he became the first person from a tribal community to occupy the post in the institution’s 162-year history. As an IAS officer, Murmu has worked closely with Modi for the past 15 years.

Murmu abruptly resigned from the post of Jammu and Kashmir’s lieutenant governor on August 5, It was clear though that Murmu was going to replace Rajiv Mehrishi, the outgoing CAG.

Murmu was born on November 21, 1959. So he will be on the post of CAG till he attains the age of 65, according to rules, or for a maximum period of six years. This means that Murmu’s tenure as CAG may last till November 21, 2025. This is the first time that a Gujarat cadre officer has assumed the post. Murmu will be the first from a tribal community.

Murmu comes from Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. He is the oldest among eight brothers and sisters. His mother was a school teacher and his late father worked in the railways. He is a 1985-batch IAS officer and, before joining the service, he briefly worked in State Bank of India as a probationary officer. No one would have known at the time that he would one day head the department of financial services which oversees the working of all banks.

Murmu studied in Utkal University from where he earned a BA degree in political science and then finished his MA from there. After the removed of Article 370 from J&K, Murmu became LG of the newly formed union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.He is a trusted officer of PM Modi .He replaced Satpal Malik who was governor of Jammu and Kashmir when it was still a state and undivided.

People came to know about Murmu when he returned there in 2004 after finishing an MBA course from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom and appointed secretary in the state’s home department and remained on this post for three and a half years.
Murmu has been credited with presenting Gujarat’s case in an effective manner in courts.

People who have worked with him say he is quiet and simple by nature but has the ability to speak his mind. He is very punctual, can go anywhere and finishes every task with dignity. He briefed lawyers in Gujarat and outside it regarding cases and presented the side of the state government before several commissions very effectively.

Modi was impressed by Murmu’s hard work and his faith in the officer increased further. This was the reason that Modi appointed him his additional principal secretary in the chief minister’s office in 2008 and he also continued in the same position in the home department.He is a weightlifter and his biceps and physique are proof of it. About Murmu, it is said that he can leave everything except his physical exercise.

One of his brothers, Shirish Chandra Murmu, has an MSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University and is working as regional director of the Reserve Bank of India in Kolkata and is a nominated director of RBI on the board of Bank of India. Another of his brothers has cleared the UPSC exams and holds a high post in the railways.

Murmu’s wife Smita Shukla has a PhD and is busy in social services. Their daughter Ruchika is preparing for the UPSC exams and son Ruhan is a student of Class XII. Murmu loves to spend time with his family when he is not working and has a special liking for action films.

Before being appointed LG of Jammu-Kashmir in October 2019, Murmu worked in the finance ministry in various capacities for four years. From April 20, 2015, he started working as joint secretary in the ministry. Since he worked in the department of expenditure, banking and revenue, these experiences will be useful for him as CAG.