Born: 11 August 1948, Sambalpur, Odisha
Batch & Cadre: 1972 batch, Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Gujarat cadre
Current Position: Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India (since 11 September 2019)
🎓 Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics with Distinction from GM College, Sambalpur University
- Master’s degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics
- Master’s in Development Economics and Ph.D. in Economics/Development Studies from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom
🏛️ Career Overview
Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra is a veteran IAS officer with an extensive career in public administration, policy planning, disaster management, and governance. Widely respected for his quiet efficiency and deep understanding of developmental challenges, he has served both the Gujarat state government and the Union Government in various key capacities.
đź“Ś Roles in Gujarat
In the Gujarat cadre, Dr. Mishra held several important positions, including:
- District Collector
- Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Gujarat
- Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue)
- Principal Secretary (Agriculture and Cooperation)
- Chairman of the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission after his retirement
His work in Gujarat established his reputation as a trusted and capable administrator, particularly in the areas of rural development and disaster resilience.
đź“Ś Roles in the Government of India
At the central level, Dr. Mishra served in several high-ranking posts such as:
- Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation
- Additional Secretary in the Ministries of Home Affairs and Urban Development
- Member Secretary, National Capital Region Planning Board
- Special Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs
During his tenure in the Ministry of Agriculture, he played a pivotal role in designing flagship programs like the National Agriculture Development Programme and the National Food Security Mission.
🏛️ Role in the Prime Minister’s Office
Dr. Mishra has been a close and trusted aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since their association in Gujarat. After Modi assumed office as Prime Minister in 2014, Dr. Mishra was appointed as Additional Principal Secretary.
On 11 September 2019, he was elevated to the post of Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, succeeding Nripendra Misra. In this role, he functions at the level of a Cabinet Minister, overseeing all critical operations of the Prime Minister’s Office. He plays a key role in strategic planning, inter-ministerial coordination, and the execution of national policies.
In June 2024, he was re-appointed to the position for a term co-terminous with that of the Prime Minister.
🏅 Recognitions and Contributions
- Awarded the United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2019 for excellence in disaster management.
- Authored and edited numerous articles and publications on agricultural insurance, development policy, and post-disaster reconstruction.
- Contributed to research at the Institute of Development Studies, UK, focusing on issues related to rural development and planning.
- Served on the governing board of international and national organizations like ICRISAT and the National Disaster Management Authority.
đź“ť Legacy and Significance
Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra is widely regarded as one of the most influential bureaucrats in India. His role as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister places him at the administrative helm of the Indian government’s most powerful office. A man of few words and immense action, he is credited with ensuring policy stability, administrative discipline, and results-driven governance at the highest level.