When Kamal Joshi joined the Income Tax Department in 2012, he began a journey that would span high-stakes investigations, challenging assessments, and landmark achievements in curbing financial malpractice. Over the years, he has worked across various verticals of the department, from regular assessments to more specialized units. But it’s his work in the Benami Prohibition Unit, Bhopal, over the last three years that has earned him national recognition.
Under Joshi’s tenure, the Bhopal unit has consistently topped the country in property attachments under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, outperforming larger zones like Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat. “In terms of both the number of attachments and their value, our unit has set new benchmarks,” he shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds. This is no small feat, considering Bhopal’s modest size in the income tax ecosystem.
ACCOLADES FOR INTEGRITY
Joshi’s integrity and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed. For three consecutive years, he received outstanding performance commendations from his department. His most notable accolade came in the form of the Certificate of Excellence from the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in 2023 depicting his impactful contributions during a time when the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) launched a direct review of performance excellence.
Yet, Joshi remains grounded. “I don’t think I’ve done anything extraordinary,” he says humbly. “I’ve just tried to perform my duties with complete honesty and that in itself is enough.”
A LATE BLOOMER WITH A LIGHTNING SPRINT
While Joshi has made waves in his professional life, what sets him apart even more is his passion for athletics, which he discovered rather recently in 2020. What began as a casual challenge turned into a passion that now runs parallel to his day job.
“I heard about a colleague who was unbeatable in sprints. That pushed me to challenge myself. I didn’t think I could do it, but I gave it a try and I haven’t stopped since,” he told Indian Masterminds.
Today, Kamal Joshi is a gold medalist in the 100-meter sprint at the prestigious All India Central Revenue Sports Meet, a title he has defended for consecutive years. He also clinched silver in the 200 meters and regularly participates in half-marathons and 10K runs, often topping his age category.
BALANCING THE BADGE AND THE TRACK
How does a high-performing officer with such demanding responsibilities find time to train? Joshi credits his consistency and disciplined routine. “I don’t have a secret. Just half an hour to 45 minutes of focused running or strength training in the morning. Even on field assignments, if I get two days to train out of four, I make the most of them.”
Despite the challenges of travel and workload, he never lets his passion take a backseat. “Fitness is not just about medals. It keeps me mentally agile and physically ready for the rigors of my job.”
A LIFELONG LEARNER, A LEADER IN THE MAKING
With five government jobs behind him, Kamal Joshi is no stranger to change or challenge. “Every move was driven by a desire to learn something new, to do something impactful,” he says. This same hunger fuels his belief in human potential. Holding a Master’s in Human Resource Management, he emphasizes the value of people in any system.
“Human resources are the most vital of all. We must never overlook them. I always ask myself – how can my presence make a difference?”
Today, he also serves as a visiting faculty member at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Bhopal, mentoring new recruits and sharing insights from the field.
PERSONAL ROOTS, PROFESSIONAL RESOLVE
Born into a humble family, Joshi lives with his mother, wife, and two children – a close-knit unit that keeps him grounded. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications and believes that learning never stops. “Even now, I feel there’s so much more I need to learn and do,” he says with childlike curiosity in his voice.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Whether he’s unearthing benami assets, mentoring young officers, or crossing the finish line in record time, Kamal Joshi embodies excellence with humility. His story is a reminder that you don’t need to choose between professional rigor and personal passion, you can sprint toward both, if you have the discipline to try.
“More than awards or recognition,” he says, “what matters is knowing that my work and my life can inspire someone else to try harder, run faster, and stay honest.”
