Indian Bureaucracy News | Shri Karan Thapar IRS (C&CE 2009) presently Director in the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has been given an extension for a period of one year beyond 16.02.2026 and upto 16.02.2027 by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet . Shri Karan Thapar is on central deputation w.e.f. 17.02.2020.
Shri Karan Thapar is an accomplished officer of the Indian Revenue Service with over 16 years of diverse experience across taxation, public policy, international trade negotiations, and intellectual property rights administration. His career reflects a steady progression through roles requiring analytical depth, institutional coordination, and policy-level leadership.
He began his professional journey in indirect tax administration in Delhi, working across several compliance, enforcement, and assessment formations. These early assignments enabled him to gain a grounded understanding of regulatory processes, industry-sector dynamics, and taxpayer engagement. He also contributed to anti-smuggling operations at the Delhi International Airport and played a role in the implementation of Project Saksham, a nationwide IT modernization initiative supporting the rollout of GST.
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, Shri Thapar was part of the National Task Force responsible for strengthening medical supply chains. He worked with government agencies and industry partners to ramp up production and distribution of testing kits, ventilators, and essential medical supplies. Under Mission Udan, he supported logistics coordination for the rapid movement of critical health equipment across the country. He also contributed to the national Oxygen Task Force and briefly assisted in strategic planning for advancing semiconductor manufacturing in India.
With the stabilization of the pandemic situation, Shri Thapar transitioned to the field of international trade negotiations in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. He served as policy lead for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Innovation, and Traditional Knowledge across major bilateral and multilateral negotiation platforms. His work contributed to trade engagements with the UK, Australia, UAE, EU, and EFTA member countries, and he represented India at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including as a lead negotiator in diplomatic discussions on global IPR frameworks.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, plays a crucial role in shaping India’s industrial development and enabling a conducive environment for business growth. DPIIT formulates, coordinates, and implements policies that encourage investment, promote innovation, and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic industries. It also works to reduce regulatory burdens and improve the ease of doing business, both for large enterprises and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
One of DPIIT’s key mandates is to promote industrial growth by facilitating infrastructure development, technological advancement, and market access. It is responsible for the implementation of major national initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. Through these programs, DPIIT supports manufacturing expansion, encourages entrepreneurship, and attracts both domestic and foreign investments across sectors.
The department also oversees intellectual property rights (IPR), including patents, trademarks, and design rights, ensuring that innovation and creativity are protected and commercially recognized. DPIIT’s administration of IPR policies fosters a robust ecosystem for research and development, creative industries, and emerging technology-driven enterprises.
In addition, DPIIT is responsible for monitoring and improving logistics efficiency through the National Logistics Policy, enhancing supply chain performance, reducing costs, and promoting seamless trade across states. It works closely with state governments, industry bodies, trade associations, and global institutions to advance industrial growth strategies aligned with sustainability and inclusive development.
DPIIT’s role extends to promoting internal trade, ensuring smooth market functioning, and addressing business-related regulatory challenges. Leadership updates, administrative appointments, and policy developments within this department are frequently highlighted in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News, reflecting its strategic importance in strengthening India’s economic landscape and supporting long-term national growth.
He currently serves as Director, IPR Law and Policy, focusing on building a balanced, innovation-friendly regulatory ecosystem. His work emphasizes simplifying processes, strengthening legal frameworks, and supporting India’s evolving knowledge economy. His recent contributions have also been noted in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News, reflecting his continued role in shaping policy discourse in this domain.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Shri Karan Thapar the very best.