When Pankaj Joshi walked into the Gujarat Secretariat on January 31, 2025, to take charge as the state’s 32nd Chief Secretary, it wasn’t just another appointment; it was the culmination of over three decades spent navigating some of India’s toughest governance challenges. Born in Nainital, equipped with an IIT degree and an M.Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies, Joshi has built a reputation as the go-to man for complex portfolios and tight deadlines. Now, as he steps into the state’s highest bureaucratic post, all eyes are on how this seasoned technocrat will steer Gujarat through its next phase of growth and transformation.
A SCHOLAR WITH AN ENGINEER’S MIND
Joshi’s academic journey laid the bedrock for his approach to administration. After earning his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Delhi, one of India’s premier institutions, he pushed further to complete his M.Tech in Water Resource Engineering, also from IIT Delhi. Not content with stopping there, he added an M.Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies to his credentials, equipping himself with a unique blend of technical precision and strategic foresight.
THE START OF A LONG, STORIED CAREER
In August 1989, Joshi donned the khaki nameplate of an IAS officer for the Gujarat cadre. He began at the grassroots, serving as a provincial collector, a crucible for any young officer. This foundation in direct public interaction and field administration shaped his governance style: rooted in ground realities yet bold in policy scope.
WEARING MANY HATS, HOLDING MANY KEYS
Over three decades, Joshi has handled some of the state’s most critical portfolios. From Land Revenue, Personnel and General Administration to Education, Finance, Energy, Ports and Transport, Social Welfare, Tribal Affairs, and Urban Development. At every step, he has been trusted with decisions that touch millions.
His capacity to navigate multiple responsibilities came to the fore when, as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, he was simultaneously entrusted with the Ports and Transport Department. It wasn’t the first time he had balanced so much. In November last year, Joshi even stepped in as acting Chief Secretary for 10 days when his predecessor went on leave for his son’s wedding.
AT THE CENTRE AND IN THE BOARDROOM
Joshi’s administrative experience is not limited to Gandhinagar’s corridors. Between 2007 and 2013, he was on central deputation, serving in key roles that added depth to his policy toolkit. He has also worked closely with the corporate sector, sitting as a government-nominated Director and Chairman on the Boards of multiple Public Sector Undertakings. His boardroom leadership has extended to crucial sectors like Electricity Generation & Distribution, Logistics, and Gas Transmission & Distribution… areas where Gujarat has often set benchmarks for the rest of India.
Today, alongside being Chief Secretary, Joshi is also the Chairman of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited Group Companies, Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd., Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd., and the Chairman and Managing Director of Gujarat State Petronet Limited. In short, he holds the steering wheel for major segments of Gujarat’s energy and infrastructure growth.
A TRUSTED HAND OF THE CHIEF MINISTER
That trust runs deep. When Bhupendra Patel took charge as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, one of his earliest moves was to place Joshi in the CMO as Additional Chief Secretary. This wasn’t a random shuffle. Joshi had already handled sensitive assignments in finance, home affairs, panchayat governance, and urban development, and he became an indispensable link between policy and implementation.
So strong is this trust that when the post of Chief Secretary fell vacant, Joshi’s name was already circling the highest tables of power. His predecessor Raj Kumar’s retirement on 31 January 2025 opened the door for the 59-year-old bureaucrat to step up for what will likely be the final act of his long public service journey. He retires this October.
A QUIET CORNER FOR SOCCER
Despite this intense professional orbit, those close to Pankaj Joshi know another side of him: the quiet soccer fan who likes to catch a match when the paperwork slows down, a small personal passion that reminds people he’s not just Gujarat’s top bureaucrat but also a man who finds joy in life’s simplest diversions.
LEADING GUJARAT’S NEXT CHAPTER
As Pankaj Joshi holds the reins of Gujarat for the next few months, he will likely focus on keeping the state’s development engine running smoothly while strengthening systems that will outlast his tenure.
In a world where governance often becomes faceless, Joshi’s journey proves that an officer’s vision, discipline, and ability to wear multiple hats can shape the fate of millions. From the ports to the power plants and from tribal schools to corporate boardrooms. For Gujarat, Pankaj Joshi’s steady hand at the top might just be what keeps the wheels turning seamlessly.
