Who is Naresh Pal Gangwar? The new higher education secretary with years of experience in Rajasthan’s education hub, appointed amid NEET-UG 2026 protests

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as the new Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, replacing Vineet Joshi, who has been transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as Secretary. The administrative reshuffle comes at a crucial time as students continue to protest against the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, seeking greater transparency, accountability, and reforms in the examination system.

Who Is Naresh Pal Gangwar?

Naresh Pal Gangwar is a 1994-batch IAS officer who has held several important administrative positions during his career. Before taking charge as Higher Education Secretary, he served as Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Naresh Pal Gangwar Education

Born on October 21, 1970, Gangwar has an academic background in engineering and economics. He completed his B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering, followed by an M.Tech in Communication and Radar. He also holds a Master’s degree in Economics.

Administrative Experience in Rajasthan

During his tenure in Rajasthan, Gangwar served as a district collector in several districts, gaining extensive experience in governance and public administration.

He was first appointed as the Collector of Tonk in 2001. Later, he served as Collector of Sawai Madhopur and Jhalawar in 2004, Jodhpur in 2006, and Bharatpur in 2008. He was subsequently appointed again as Collector of Jodhpur in the same year.

Experience in Education Sector

Gangwar has also had significant experience in the education sector. In 2014, he was appointed as the Secretary of the School Education Department in the Rajasthan government.

He continued working in the education field for a considerable period, contributing to the management of education policies, administrative reforms, and governance-related matters. His experience in handling educational administration is expected to play an important role in his new position as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education.