Naresh Pal Gangwar Higher Education Secretary has been appointed by the Centre following the transfer of Vineet Joshi. The experienced IAS officer takes charge during heightened scrutiny of India's examination system and will lead higher education reforms, university governance and National Education Policy implementation.
Naresh Pal Gangwar Appointed During Key Education Ministry Reshuffle
The Centre has appointed 1994-batch IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as the new Higher Education Secretary, replacing Vineet Joshi, who has been transferred as Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj under a secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Although the government has not linked the move to the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the appointment comes when India's examination system is under intense public scrutiny and demands for greater transparency, accountability and examination reforms continue. As Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Gangwar will oversee implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), coordinate with universities, technical institutions and regulatory bodies, strengthen higher education governance, improve institutional quality, promote research and innovation, and help restore confidence in national entrance examinations.
Naresh Pal Gangwar Brings Extensive Administrative Experience
Naresh Pal Gangwar combines strong academic credentials with nearly three decades of administrative experience. He holds a BTech in Electronics and Communication from the University of Roorkee, an MTech from IIT Delhi, and a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Rajasthan. Before this appointment, he served as Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and previously held senior positions as Principal Secretary in the Rajasthan government and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, where he managed important policy matters related to environmental regulation and pollution control. Gangwar succeeds Vineet Joshi, a 1992-batch IAS officer who previously served as CBSE Chairman, Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and head of NIOS, playing a major role in India's education administration. Going forward, Gangwar's immediate priorities are expected to include accelerating NEP implementation, strengthening university standards, improving examination governance, enhancing coordination between educational institutions and regulatory agencies, and reinforcing public trust in India's higher education system while ensuring reforms are implemented effectively.
