Varsha Joshi IAS given extension in upgradation of the post of Additional Secretary- Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Ms. Varsha Joshi IAS (AGMUT 1995) given extension in upgradation of the post of Joint Secretary to the level of Additional Secretary in Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for a term up to 05.12.2026 by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet .
Who is Ms. Varsha Joshi IAS? Senior Administrator with Extensive Experience in Fisheries, Urban Development and Energy
Ms. Varsha Joshi is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with extensive experience in central and state administration across fisheries, animal husbandry, urban development, transport, energy, renewable energy, census operations, water resources and general administration. An academically accomplished officer, she holds a Graduate degree and a Postgraduate degree in Physics, securing First Division in both.
Ms. Joshi is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. She has held the position since December 2021, after serving as Joint Secretary in the same Ministry from July 2020 to December 2021. Her current assignment places her in a key policy role in the livestock and animal husbandry sector, which is closely linked to rural livelihoods, agricultural development and the national economy.
Her work in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has provided her with extensive exposure to policy formulation, programme implementation and coordination in a sector that has a direct impact on farmers, livestock owners and rural communities. The department is responsible for important areas relating to animal health, livestock development, dairy production and allied activities.
Before her central government responsibilities, Ms. Joshi held several senior positions in the Delhi administration. She served as Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner, handling responsibilities related to urban development and municipal administration. These assignments provided her with extensive experience in the functioning of urban local bodies, civic administration and the delivery of public services in a major metropolitan region.
She also served as Secretary-cum-Commissioner in the Transport Department, Government of Delhi. The assignment gave her exposure to transport administration and policy matters in one of India’s most important and densely populated urban centres. She also served as Secretary in the Energy Department and held additional responsibility as Secretary in the Environment and Forest Department.
Ms. Joshi has significant experience in the energy sector at the national level. She served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy from October 2014 to November 2016. This assignment provided her with exposure to India’s renewable energy policy framework and the development of clean energy initiatives. Her experience in both conventional energy administration and renewable energy has contributed to a broad understanding of the country’s evolving energy landscape.
An important phase of her career was her tenure as Director of Census Operations in the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs. Serving in this position from 2009 to 2014, she was associated with one of the country’s most significant statistical and administrative exercises. The assignment required considerable organisational capacity, coordination and administrative planning.
Her earlier career also includes important responsibilities in water resources and social welfare. She served as Additional Chief Executive Officer and Director (Finance) in the Delhi Jal Board. These assignments provided her with experience in the administration and financial management of a major public utility dealing with water resources.
She also served as Deputy Commissioner in the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This role exposed her to issues relating to social justice and the implementation of welfare programmes for disadvantaged communities.
Ms. Joshi has also held senior responsibilities in Arunachal Pradesh, where she served as Secretary. Earlier, she served as Chief Executive Officer of the Chandigarh Housing Board on inter-cadre deputation. Her career began with field administration in Delhi, where she served as Sub-Divisional Officer.
The breadth of Ms. Varsha Joshi’s career reflects experience across diverse areas of governance. From census operations and urban administration to renewable energy, transport, water resources, social welfare and animal husbandry, she has handled responsibilities at both the state and national levels.
With her present role as Additional Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ms. Joshi continues to contribute to an important sector of India’s rural and agricultural economy. Her academic background in Physics, combined with her wide-ranging administrative experience, has shaped a distinguished career spanning policy formulation, field administration and senior-level governance.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Ms. Varsha Joshi the very best.