Pankaj Joshi is a 1989 Gujarat cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) senior officer of the 1989 batch. He was born in Nainital, Uttarakhand, and acquired his education in that state. A bright student, he studied Civil Engineering at T Dethen and pursued a Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering at the same institution. He further has an M.Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies, which is a degree that indicates his concern in public policy as well as governance.

Entry into Civil Services (1989)
On passing the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Pankaj Joshi became an IAS in August 1989. He also acquired the experience of working at the ground level of administration in the first several years when he served as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and later as District Collector in several Gujarat districts.

Mid-Level Administrative (1995-2010)
In this stage, he worked in various important departments that included:
Urban Development
Education
Energy and Power
Ports & Transport

He was also in the service of the Central Government, where he took part in the policymaking of the country on urban and social aspects.

Chief Secretary of Gujarat (2025)
He was made the Chief Secretary of Gujarat, the top bureaucracy rank in the state, in January 2025. He was in charge of overseeing all the government departments and was the advisor to the Chief Minister on governance and development.

Senior Leadership Phase (2010–2024)
Pankaj Joshi was recommended to be promoted to Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary, where he wasin chargee of strategic departments such as:
Finance
Industries
Social Justice
Chief Minister’s Office (CMO)
His policy-based administration and discipline made him famous.

Personal Details
Age: Around 60 years (as of 2025)
Height: 5 feet 8 inches (not recorded)
Net Worth: Privately revealed; average IAS incomes are salary, government housing,g and government benefits.
Family: Married, has a secret personal life.

Legacy
IAS Pankaj Joshi is one of the most influential civil servants in Gujarat and is respecteforby his technocratic background, composed leadership, and extensive experience in the administration.