New Delhi: In a significant recognition of education reform in Himachal Pradesh, Mr Rajesh Sharma, a 2000 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, was conferred the ET Leadership Excellence Award – North 2025 by the Times of India Group at a prestigious ceremony held in New Delhi. The event was graced by acclaimed actor and philanthropist Anupam Kher as Chief Guest.
Under Sharma’s transformative leadership, Himachal Pradesh has catapulted from Rank 21 in the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2021 to a Top 5 position in 2024, making it one of India’s most improved states in school education governance.
Data-Driven Reforms, Global Collaborations, and Local Impact
As the State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Sharma has ushered in data-driven governance backed by technology, partnerships, and capacity building. His focus on student learning outcomes and systemic accountability has significantly improved enrollment, retention, and teaching quality in government schools.
Key achievements under his tenure include–
- 100% fund utilization under national schemes like STARS, PM SHRI, and Samagra Shiksha.
- India’s largest tablet-based diagnostic assessment for nearly 50,000 students, enabling personalized remedial learning.
- Establishment of a strong Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) for real-time education data governance.
- Activation of School Management Committees (SMCs) and decentralization of decision-making.
- Integration of ICT infrastructure in rural schools, helping bridge the urban-rural digital divide.
Building Global Bridges for Local Progress
Sharma has actively pursued international collaborations with institutions like UNESCO, Cambridge University, and the Principal Academy of Singapore, and engaged with IITs and IIMs for teacher training in advanced pedagogy and assessment methods.
These global engagements have positioned Himachal Pradesh as a model for education innovation, blending local relevance with global best practices.
A Career That Spans Forests, Youth, Skills, and Education
An Indian Forest Service officer by training, Sharma’s career reflects a unique combination of ecological knowledge, administrative versatility, and public policy acumen.
His educational background includes:–
- A degree in Forestry from the Indian Forest College, Dehradun.
- An MBA in Public Policy and Management from MDI Gurgaon, with an international module at George Mason University.
- Executive education programs in Japan, the UK, and Singapore.
Sharma has previously served in key roles such as–
- Regional Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs
- Managing Director, HP Skill Mission
- Chief Conservator of Forests
- Director, Youth Services & Sports
This diverse experience has given him a 360-degree governance perspective, blending fiscal discipline, people-first policies, and strategic innovation.
From Forests to Classrooms: A Legacy of Sustainable Leadership
Whether it was protecting forests or now shaping classrooms, Mr Sharma’s public service ethos has remained rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and nation-building.
His leadership in education is not just reshaping the future for Himachal Pradesh’s children, but is also creating a national benchmark for effective, scalable, and data-informed governance.
The ET Leadership Excellence Award thus celebrates not just Sharma’s personal achievements, but also the collective progress of Himachal Pradesh’s education system under his stewardship.
