Over Three Decades of Diverse Administrative Experience to Power India’s Quality Standards Mission
Seasoned civil servant Sanjay Garg, a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, has officially assumed charge as the Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — the country’s apex body for standardization under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
His appointment, cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), became effective November 1, 2025, following the retirement of Pramod Kumar Tiwari (IAS:1991:AM). Garg had been working as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at BIS since August 2025 to ensure a seamless transition in leadership.
A Veteran Administrator with Pan-India Experience
With more than 30 years of service, Sanjay Garg has built a reputation as an officer with deep expertise across multiple sectors, including agriculture, industrial development, defence production, finance, and social policy.
Before his current posting, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and as Secretary of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). During his time at ICAR, he led several digital initiatives — most notably, the expansion of the Kisan Sarathi platform, which revolutionized real-time interactions between scientists and farmers across India.
From Agriculture to Standards: A Strategic Move for India’s Quality Mission
Garg’s move from ICAR to BIS is viewed as a major step in strengthening India’s national quality infrastructure. As the head of BIS, he will be responsible for developing national standards, overseeing quality certification, and bolstering consumer safety systems.
He will also chair India’s National Committee at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), representing the country on global platforms for standardization and industrial quality.
His leadership is expected to align BIS’s mission with national priorities such as “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” ensuring that Indian goods and services meet international benchmarks for quality and safety.
Academic Background and Contributions
Born on October 10, 1970, Sanjay Garg holds both B.Tech. and M.Tech. degrees, with fluency in English and Hindi. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in policy formulation for industrial deregulation, World Bank-assisted development projects, and defence production reforms.
He has also been instrumental in advancing modernization across various industrial sectors, including the leather and manufacturing industries.
Driving a ‘Quality-First’ India
As the new DG of BIS, Garg is expected to emphasize innovation, quality consciousness, and consumer protection. His experience in technology-driven governance and institutional reform is anticipated to bring a new era of efficiency and credibility to India’s standardization ecosystem.
With his appointment, BIS aims to evolve into a more dynamic organization — supporting India’s global competitiveness through quality, safety, and sustainability.
