New Delhi: The appointment of senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education has triggered immediate political confrontation, with the Congress accusing the Union government of replacing one controversial official with another.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that Gangwar's wife, mother, and son collectively received more than ₹1.16 crore in National Horticulture Board (NHB) subsidies while he served as Agriculture Secretary. Khera claimed the matter warranted scrutiny and accused the government of failing to maintain accountability in senior bureaucratic appointments.
As of publication, the Union Government has not publicly responded to the specific allegations, and no court has established wrongdoing by Gangwar regarding the claims.
Appointment Comes During Examination Crisis
Gangwar assumes office at a crucial moment for India's education sector. The Ministry of Education is under intense pressure to strengthen examination security following controversies surrounding NEET and other national competitive examinations.
Student organizations and opposition parties have demanded comprehensive reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA), citing repeated concerns over paper leaks, transparency, and examination integrity.
Government officials expect Gangwar to oversee reforms aimed at improving examination security, increasing transparency, and restoring public trust in India's higher education admission process.
Experienced Bureaucrat Takes Charge
A 1994-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, Naresh Pal Gangwar brings nearly three decades of administrative experience.
Before joining the Ministry of Education, he served as Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Government of India. During his career, he has also held key administrative positions in Rajasthan, including District Collector and Principal Secretary.
Gangwar is recognized for contributing to Rajasthan's early solar energy policy during the implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and has worked on environmental policy, pollution control, and hazardous waste management at the national level.
Academic Credentials
Gangwar holds:
B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from IIT Roorkee (formerly University of Roorkee)
M.Tech in Communication & Radar Engineering from IIT Delhi
M.A. in Economics from the University of Rajasthan
