Dr Vivek Joshi IAS Profile: Dr Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre, has held several key positions in the Haryana Government and the Central Government during a career spanning more than three decades. Before joining the Election Commission of India, he served as Chief Secretary of Haryana, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Secretary of the Department of Financial Services and Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
He assumed charge as Election Commissioner of India on February 19, 2025, following a long administrative career that included important assignments in finance, personnel administration, census and state governance.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Vivek Joshi was born on May 21, 1966, in Uttar Pradesh. He belongs to the 1989 batch of the Indian Administrative Service and was allotted the Haryana cadre.
He completed his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Roorkee, now IIT Roorkee, in 1987. He subsequently obtained an Executive Master’s in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi.
He later pursued higher studies in Switzerland and obtained a Master’s and Ph.D. in International Economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva.
Entry into IAS and Early Career in Haryana
Joshi began his administrative career in Haryana after joining the IAS. His early assignments included serving as Assistant Commissioner, SDO (Civil) at Ambala and Bhiwani, and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Yamuna Nagar.
He subsequently served as Registrar and Administrator at Hisar and as Deputy Commissioner of Jind, Hisar and Panchkula.
His other assignments in Haryana included Joint Secretary, Haryana Government; Joint Secretary, Finance Department; Special Secretary, Public Works (B&R) Department; and Additional Director, Haryana Institute of Public Administration.
First Central Deputation: Ministry of Textiles
Joshi moved to the Centre on deputation in 2001, joining the Ministry of Textiles.
He served as Deputy Secretary from September 2001 to June 2003 and subsequently as Director from July 2003 to July 2006.
After returning to Haryana, he served in the state government and later proceeded on study leave for higher education in Geneva.
Second Central Deputation
In 2010, Joshi returned to the Centre as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development. He remained in the ministry until 2014 and handled matters relating to child rights and child protection.
He subsequently moved to the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, where he served as OSD in the Public Procurement Cell from November 2014 to March 2016 and as Joint Secretary from March 2016 to April 2017.
During his tenure in the Finance Ministry, he was associated with public procurement policy and appraisal of government-funded projects and schemes.
Senior Positions in Haryana
Joshi returned to Haryana in 2017 and held several senior assignments, including Member Secretary of the Fifth State Finance Commission and Divisional Commissioner, Ambala.
He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, besides holding responsibilities as Principal Secretary, Monitoring and Coordination; Chief Administrator, Trade Fair Authority of Haryana; Director, Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management; and Principal Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi.
Registrar General and Census Commissioner
In January 2019, he returned to the Centre as Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He held the position until 2022, overseeing responsibilities relating to the country’s census and civil registration system.
Secretary, Department of Financial Services
Joshi took charge as Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, on November 1, 2022.
As DFS Secretary, he dealt with policy and administrative matters concerning public sector banks, insurance, financial institutions, financial inclusion and pension-related issues. He also served on the boards of the Reserve Bank of India and State Bank of India.
He continued in the post until August 18, 2024.
Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training
In August 2024, he was appointed Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
He served in the post from August 19 to October 31, 2024, before returning to his parent cadre.
Chief Secretary of Haryana
Following his repatriation to Haryana, Joshi was appointed Chief Secretary of Haryana. He took charge on November 1, 2024, succeeding T.V.S.N. Prasad.
He remained in the post until February 18, 2025.
Appointment as Election Commissioner
The President appointed Vivek Joshi as Election Commissioner of India through a notification dated February 17, 2025. He assumed charge on February 19, 2025.
Under the applicable statutory provisions, an Election Commissioner holds office for six years from the date of assuming office or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. In Joshi’s case, his present tenure is scheduled to end on February 18, 2031.
Possible Role Ahead of 2029 Lok Sabha Elections
With his tenure extending beyond the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, he could potentially be considered for the post of Chief Election Commissioner during this period. Any such appointment, however, would depend on the applicable statutory process and the decision of the competent authority.
Dr Vivek Joshi — Career Timeline
| Period | Major Assignment |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Joined IAS, Haryana cadre |
| 1990s–2001 | Various field and administrative assignments in Haryana |
| 2001–2006 | Ministry of Textiles, Government of India |
| 2010–2014 | Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development |
| 2014–2017 | Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance |
| 2017–2019 | Senior positions in Haryana Government |
| 2019–2022 | Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India |
| November 2022–August 2024 | Secretary, Department of Financial Services |
| August–October 2024 | Secretary, DoPT |
| November 2024–February 18, 2025 | Chief Secretary, Haryana |
| From February 19, 2025 | Election Commissioner of India |
| February 18, 2031 | Scheduled end of present tenure |
Get Latest Updates