The Government of India has appointed Manoj Joshi as the new Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, brings with him extensive experience in regulatory coordination, urban affairs, and land management.
Joshi’s shift from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to the pharmaceutical sector signals a renewed government push to strengthen drug manufacturing, boost bulk drug and medical device capacity, and accelerate the development of pharma parks nationwide. His new role is expected to focus on fortifying India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem amid rising global demand and the need for supply-chain security.
The reshuffle also introduced several strategic senior-level appointments across key ministries, aimed at enhancing policy execution as the country prepares for the upcoming financial year.
The leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for India’s healthcare sector. The domestic pharmaceutical industry—valued at around USD 55 billion in 2025—is projected to nearly double to USD 120–130 billion by 2030, according to Bain & Co.
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