Incumbent Sharada Subramanyam has been repatriated to the parent department. Sharada belongs to the India Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) and served on deputation in Raj Bhavan since May 2005.

The cadre post of secretary to Governor of Karnataka has now been upgraded to IAS, Higher Administrative Grade (HAG). A 1982-batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer, Rau hails from Andhra Pradesh. Sources said the Governor was keen that a senior IAS officer occupy the post of secretary.  According to sources, IAS officer Jawaid Akhtar is likely to be appointed as Chairman, Coffee Board of India.