Vivek Bhardwaj is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1990 batch (West Bengal cadre) who is currently serving as the Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India.
Education & Background
Vivek Bhardwaj joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1990 and is associated with the West Bengal cadre. Public records do not provide detailed information about his academic qualifications.
Career and Appointments
Early and State-Level Roles
Vivek Bhardwaj has held various administrative positions in his cadre state of West Bengal. He gained experience in governance through district- and state-level roles that involved planning, rural development, and coordination with central government schemes.
Central Government Assignments
At the central level, Bhardwaj has held key roles in multiple ministries. He was appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in November 2023. He later assumed full charge as Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, following the retirement of his predecessor.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
As Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Vivek Bhardwaj has focused on decentralization, capacity building, and effective planning at the grassroots level. Some key initiatives under his leadership include:
- Launching a five-day training program for State Nodal Officers and Program Managers under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan to improve implementation capacity and on-ground impact.
- Promoting the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) by highlighting the role of empowered Gram Sabhas in addressing tribal and local issues.
- Rolling out the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) in 2025, a benchmarking tool with over 100 performance indicators to measure and improve development outcomes at the village level.
- Leading the Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan (GPSDP) initiative to integrate spatial and participatory planning for sustainable rural infrastructure.
- Overseeing the National Consultative Workshop on Devolution to Panchayats, which emphasized a comprehensive framework for empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions through functions, finances, functionaries, and accountability.
Summary
Vivek Bhardwaj is a senior civil servant with extensive experience in governance and public administration. As Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, he has led strategic initiatives to enhance the capabilities of grassroots governance institutions. His focus on data-driven planning, decentralization, and institutional empowerment reflects the government’s broader agenda to strengthen rural development and participatory democracy.