Centre removes Edu Secy Vineet Joshi amid paper leak protests; Naresh Gangwar takes charge

In a major administrative move following nationwide student protests over examination paper leaks, the Central Government has replaced Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi. According to an official notification issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) late Thursday night, 1994-batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. Joshi, a 1992-batch Manipur cadre officer who previously served as the first Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), has been transferred to serve as Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

The bureaucratic rejig comes amid intensifying demonstrations led by student groups demanding structural accountability and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Ruling party lawmakers noted that the administrative reassignment was enacted due to perceived negligence and apathy regarding the handling of examination irregularities. Simultaneously, the Delhi High Court issued orders designating a specialized fast-track court at Rouse Avenue Court Complex to try cases registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The high-level reshuffle included 13 secretary-level appointments across various central ministries. Notably, TK Anil Kumar, previously serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Rural Development, has been appointed as Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy. The new Higher Education Secretary, Naresh Pal Gangwar, brings extensive administrative experience, having previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Animal Husbandry, and key departments within the Rajasthan state administration.