Senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar has been appointed as the new Higher Education Secretary, replacing Vineet Joshi. Here’s a look at his education, career, and the responsibilities awaiting him.
The Central Government has appointed Naresh Pal Gangwar, a senior IAS officer of the 1994 batch, as the new Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. He succeeds Vineet Joshi, who has been transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as Secretary under the latest bureaucratic reshuffle.
The leadership change comes at a crucial time, with the education sector facing intense scrutiny following the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and growing demands for examination reforms and greater transparency. Although the government has not linked the transfer to the ongoing controversy, the timing has attracted widespread attention.
Who Is Naresh Pal Gangwar?
Naresh Pal Gangwar is a 1994-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with extensive experience in governance, policymaking and public administration.
Before taking charge of the Higher Education Department, he served as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
With a unique combination of technical and economic expertise, Gangwar has built a distinguished career across multiple sectors, including environmental regulation, state administration and central government policymaking.
Naresh Pal Gangwar’s Educational Qualifications
Gangwar has an impressive academic background that combines engineering and economics.
His qualifications include:
- BTech in Electronics and Communication from the University of Roorkee
- MTech in Communication from IIT Delhi
- MA in Economics from the University of Rajasthan
This multidisciplinary education has played a significant role in shaping his approach to governance and policy implementation.
Career Highlights
During nearly three decades in the civil services, Gangwar has handled several high-profile administrative assignments at both the state and central levels.
Some of his major roles include:
- Principal Secretary in the Rajasthan Government
- Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
While serving in the Environment Ministry, he oversaw important areas such as pollution control, environmental regulations and hazardous waste management. In his most recent assignment, he was responsible for policies related to livestock development, dairy production and animal health across the country.
What Will Be His Role as Higher Education Secretary?
As the new Higher Education Secretary, Gangwar will lead policymaking for India’s universities, higher educational institutions and technical education ecosystem.
His responsibilities are expected to include:
- Implementing reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP)
- Strengthening governance in higher education institutions
- Overseeing university and technical education policies
- Improving transparency and efficiency in the examination system
- Restoring public confidence following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy
His appointment comes at a time when rebuilding trust in India’s examination and higher education framework remains one of the ministry’s biggest challenges.
Who Is Vineet Joshi?
Gangwar takes over from Vineet Joshi, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, who has long been associated with India’s education sector.
An alumnus of IIT Kanpur with an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Joshi has held several key positions during his career.
His previous assignments include:
- Chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Director General, National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Chairman, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
- Senior positions in the Ministry of Education
Before the reshuffle, Joshi was overseeing both the Department of Higher Education and the Department of School Education and Literacy.
He has now been appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, as part of a broader secretary-level administrative reshuffle approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Leadership Change Comes Amid NEET Controversy
The appointment of Naresh Pal Gangwar coincides with continued nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with students demanding greater accountability, transparent examinations and systemic reforms.
Although the government has not officially connected Vineet Joshi’s transfer with the controversy, Gangwar assumes office at a pivotal moment. His leadership is expected to play a key role in strengthening higher education governance and restoring confidence in India’s examination system.