Shri Sanjay Garg, IAS assumes the charge of Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Shri Sanjay Garg, a senior civil servant of IAS-1994 batch from the Kerala cadre, has assumed charge as the Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards, the National Standards Body of India, with effect from 1 November 2025. Shri Garg brings vast and diverse administrative experience spanning over three decades with expertise in strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation across various sectors including agriculture, food logistics, defence industry sector, industrial promotion, finance and various social sectors at State and National levels. Prior to joining BIS as DG, he served as Additional Secretary, DARE (Department of Agriculture, Research and Education) and Secretary, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). In DARE and ICAR, he spearheaded the digital transformation through application of IT in Research Management and Administration. He also played a pivotal role in scaling up and expansion of Kisan Sarathi portal which connects farmers directly to agricultural scientists.

Dr. Mangi Lal Jat takes charge as Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR

Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, a distinguished Agronomist, has assumed charge today as the Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) in its notification last week, named Dr Jat as the new Secretary of DARE and Director General of ICAR, for period of three years. Prior to this he was serving as Deputy Director General (Research) and Director of the Global Research Program at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad.

Dr. Jat, a globally respected figure in sustainable agriculture, brings over 25 years of rich experience in agronomy, climate-resilient farming, and conservation agriculture. His appointment is expected to catalyze a new era of innovation, sustainability, and farmer-first research within ICAR and the broader agricultural ecosystem. An alumnus of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, Dr. Jat holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy with a specialization in soil moisture conservation in rain-fed pearl millet—a critical area for food security in arid regions. His pioneering research has shaped sustainable intensification strategies for smallholder farmers across Asia and Africa, contributing to global efforts on food system resilience.

With an impressive portfolio of over 350 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Jat has held key leadership positions at ICRISAT, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), besides 12 years at ICAR as Systems Agronomist. He has championed climate-smart technologies, regenerative farming practices, and digital innovations in agriculture, influencing agricultural policies and practices across continents. Dr. Jat has held key roles with several prominent national and international organizations, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA). A Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), he has been honored with numerous accolades throughout his career, notably the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, one of ICAR’s highest recognitions for excellence in agricultural research. As he steps into this dual leadership role, Dr. Jat is poised to guide ICAR in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and food system transformation. His vision aligns with India’s commitment to sustainable development, precision farming, and ensuring nutritional security for its vast population.