Naresh Pal Gangwar is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1994 batch from the Rajasthan cadre. He has served in several important positions in both the Rajasthan Government and the Government of India.
He holds a B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication from the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), an M.Tech. in Communication and Radar Engineering from IIT Delhi, and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rajasthan.
His latest posting came in the Central Government’s secretary-level reshuffle announced in July 2026. He has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, replacing Vineet Joshi.
Before this appointment, Naresh Pal Gangwar was serving as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, a position he had held since August 2025.
Naresh Pal Gangwar Profile: Short Info
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Naresh Pal Gangwar |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Batch | 1994 |
| Cadre | Rajasthan |
| Date of Birth | 21 October 1970 |
| Current Posting | Secretary, Department of Higher Education |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Previous Posting | Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
| Education | B.Tech., M.Tech., M.A. (Economics) |
Early Life and Education
Naresh Pal Gangwar was born on 21 October 1970. He has a strong academic background in engineering and economics.
- B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication from the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee)
- M.Tech. in Communication and Radar Engineering from IIT Delhi
- M.A. in Economics from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Naresh Pal Gangwar joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1994 and was allotted the Rajasthan cadre. Since then, he has served in a wide range of administrative roles at both the state and central levels.
Naresh Pal Gangwar IAS Current Posting
Naresh Pal Gangwar is currently serving as Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
He assumed charge in July 2026 after a major reshuffle of senior bureaucrats by the Central Government. His appointment came at a time when the Higher Education Department was dealing with important reforms and public concerns related to national entrance examinations and the higher education system.
Naresh Gangwar Career Milestones
- Joined the IAS in 1994 as a Rajasthan cadre officer.
- Served in several important positions in the Rajasthan Government.
- Became Principal Secretary, Information Technology, Rajasthan in 2018.
- Appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2020.
- Later promoted as Additional Secretary in the same ministry.
- Became Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in August 2025.
- Appointed Secretary, Department of Higher Education in July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Naresh Pal Gangwar is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1994 batch from the Rajasthan cadre. He has served in several important positions in both the Rajasthan Government and the Government of India.
Naresh Pal Gangwar belongs to the 1994 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
He is an IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre.
Before becoming Higher Education Secretary, Naresh Pal Gangwar served as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
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