Vijay Nehra IAS: 2001 Gujarat Batch Officer on Central Deputation

Vijay Nehra, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, currently serves as Joint Secretary in the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Appointed to this central deputation role effective February 11, 2025, he holds a tenure until October 31, 2028, focusing on health policy, family welfare initiatives, and public health administration in New Delhi.
Before his central posting, Nehra served as Senior Directing Staff (Joint Secretary equivalent) at the National Defence College from November 2023 to February 2025, and as Secretary (Joint Secretary level) in Gujarat’s Department of Science & Technology and Information Technology from June 2021 to September 2023. His Gujarat cadre assignments include Commissioner & Secretary in Rural Development (2020), Municipal Commissioner in Ahmedabad (2018-2020), Vice Chairman & MD of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (2016-2017), and District Collector for Ahmedabad (2011-2013) and Vadodara (2008-2011).
Born on July 6, 1975, in Rajasthan’s Sikar district, Nehra holds an M.Sc. in Chemistry from IIT Bombay and an M.P.P. in Public Affairs from UC Berkeley. He began his career as an Assistant Collector in Sabarkantha (2003-2005) and has undergone mid-career training programs, including Phase III and IV at national institutes.
Nehra’s career reflects a blend of district administration, urban governance, transport, and now national health leadership.