Dr. Vivek Joshi, a distinguished 1989-batch IAS officer from the Haryana cadre, has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner of India. The announcement came after a selection committee, chaired by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, recommended Dr. Joshi’s name for the esteemed position.
He will join the three-member Election Commission, which includes Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sh Gyanesh Prakash and fellow Election Commissioner Sh Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. Dr. Joshi, who has been serving as the Haryana Chief Secretary since November 1, 2024, following the retirement of TVSN Prasad, brings with him a wealth of experience in public administration.
He was repatriated to Haryana in October 2024 at the request of the state government and subsequently appointed to the role of Chief Secretary. Prior to his appointment in Haryana, Dr. Joshi had an extensive tenure in central deputation with the Government of India. He served as Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training in the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensioners.
His illustrious career also saw him holding the position of Secretary in the Department of Financial Services and as the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs. His tenure with the Government of India spanned from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2017, and from 2019 to 2024.
Before his central deputation, Dr. Joshi held several significant roles in Haryana, including Chief Executive Officer of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority, Principal Resident Commissioner in New Delhi, Member Secretary of the 5th State Finance Commission, and Commissioner for Ambala Division. He has also served as Deputy Commissioner for Hisar, Jind, and Panchkula, among other positions.
As Haryana’s Chief Secretary, Dr. Joshi has been at the forefront of several key initiatives aimed at improving governance and public welfare. One such initiative was the “Swachh Haryana Mission,” launched in December 2024. The campaign, which ran until January 31, 2025, focused on enhancing cleanliness in government offices across the state, optimizing office spaces, and disposing of outdated materials.
Dr. Joshi holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Roorkee and a PhD in International Economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. His remarkable academic and professional background positions him as an asset to the Election Commission, where his leadership and expertise will be significant in ensuring the smooth functioning of the country’s electoral processes.