Born: 2 November 1968, Uttar Pradesh
Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1992 batch, Manipur cadre
Education: B.Tech (Mechanical Engineering) from IIT Kanpur; MBA and Ph.D. in Quality Management from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
Current Position: Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (since January 2025)
Additional Role: Acting Chairperson, University Grants Commission (from April 2025)
Career and Professional Journey
Shri Vineet Joshi is a senior IAS officer with extensive experience in education policy, administrative reforms, and examination systems. He has played pivotal roles in major national institutions, especially in the education sector.
Over his career, he has held several key positions:
- Chairperson, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Director-General, National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education
- Chief Secretary of Manipur (May 2023 – December 2024)
His leadership has been associated with implementing digital reforms, streamlining public examinations, and enhancing transparency in education governance.
Secretary, Department of Higher Education
In January 2025, Shri Vineet Joshi assumed charge as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. In this role, he oversees the formulation and implementation of national-level policies related to universities, colleges, technical and professional institutions, accreditation systems, and international collaborations in higher education.
Under his leadership, the department has focused on expanding access, equity, and quality in higher education, with emphasis on implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Acting Chairperson, UGC
In April 2025, he was entrusted with additional charge as Acting Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC), following the retirement of the previous head. This temporary role adds to his responsibilities in shaping academic standards, funding guidelines, and regulatory reforms in higher education institutions across India.
Contributions and Focus Areas
- Implementation of NEP 2020 in higher education institutions
- Encouragement of digital learning and open education resources
- Focus on internationalization and academic collaborations
- Strengthening quality assurance and institutional accreditation systems
Summary
Shri Vineet Joshi is recognized for his dynamic and reform-oriented leadership in the Indian education system. With his deep understanding of institutional governance, policy formulation, and examination systems, he continues to shape the future of India’s higher education landscape through his roles as Secretary and UGC Chairperson.