Senior IAS officer Manoj Joshi (IAS:1989:KL), currently serving as Secretary in the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development, has been appointed as the new Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. He will take over from Amit Agrawal (IAS:1993:CG), who has been shifted to lead the Department of Telecommunications.
A seasoned administrator with a strong delivery record
Born on January 13, 1967, Joshi holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, a Certificate in Financial Management, and a PG Diploma in Management. Known in bureaucratic circles as a firm, results-driven administrator, he has held several high-impact positions across both the Centre and the Kerala state government, earning a reputation for efficiency and steady leadership.
Over the years, he has handled major assignments in economic affairs, urban development, land resources, commerce, MSME, finance, and senior roles in the Secretariat. One of his notable state-level stints was in 2011, when he served as Secretary to the Chief Minister — a crucial responsibility in his parent cadre.
On central deputation since 2020
Joshi has been on his current central deputation since January 2020. He began this tenure as Additional Secretary, Food Processing Industries in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and was later promoted as Special Secretary in the same department.
In December 2021, he moved to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as OSD, in line to take over as Secretary after the then incumbent’s superannuation. He formally assumed charge on January 1, 2022 and served as Secretary, MoHUA, until March 5, 2024, before being posted to the Ministry of Rural Development as Secretary, Department of Land Resources.
His latest posting to the Department of Pharmaceuticals adds another important milestone to an already distinguished central career.
Two prior stints at the Centre
This is not Joshi’s first exposure to the Centre. He has earlier served on two central deputations:
• March 9, 2012 – June 8, 2017: Served as Joint Secretary in DoPT, followed by senior roles in Finance and MSME before returning to the state cadre.
• July 12, 1999 – February 2, 2008: Served in the Ministry of Commerce as Deputy Secretary and Director. During this period, he was also posted on a foreign assignment at the Embassy of India, Washington D.C., through the Commerce Ministry.
Early career beginnings
Joshi started his bureaucratic journey as Sub-Collector in Kerala and subsequently helmed multiple important assignments at the state level. Throughout his career, he has been known for administrative clarity, quick decision-making and outcome-driven governance — traits that have defined his professional trajectory.
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