Manoj Joshi is a 1989‑batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, currently serving as Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
Education & Background
An experienced civil servant from the Kerala cadre, Manoj Joshi’s academic qualifications are not widely reported in the public domain. His administrative skill set centers on revenue administration, urban development, and land governance.
Career and Appointments
Early to Mid-level Administrative Roles
Manoj Joshi began his bureaucratic career after joining the 1989 IAS batch. He has held key responsibilities across district-level administration, land management, urban governance, and central ministries. His service includes roles in Revenue, Public Works, Ports, Health and Family Welfare, Commerce, and Personnel Ministries, where he was entrusted with both project implementation and policy responsibilities.
Senior Appointments & Land Resources
In March 2024, he was transferred from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and appointed as Secretary, Department of Land Resources. The appointment was part of a broader reshuffle of Union Secretaries. In his current role, he leads national initiatives related to land record reform, digitization of surveys, and revenue adjudication systems.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
Since taking charge, Manoj Joshi has emphasized:
- Strengthening land record systems and promoting digital survey methods to ensure accuracy and transparency.
- Collaborating with states—for example, coordinating with the Government of Chhattisgarh—to modernize land titles and resolve pending revenue court cases more efficiently.
- Providing technical and financial support to states for upgrading land information systems and enabling citizens to access authenticated digital maps and records.
- Promoting innovative, citizen-centered governance models in land management through digitization and process reform.
Summary
Manoj Joshi is a seasoned IAS officer with over three decades of diverse administration experience spanning land, urban affairs, and central ministries. As Secretary, Department of Land Resources, he leads India’s national effort to modernize land governance, streamline revenue systems, and empower states to implement digitized, transparent land records. His appointment reflects significant trust in his leadership to drive institutional reform in the land sector.