Pramod Kumar Mishra, commonly known as P.K. Mishra, is a distinguished Indian bureaucrat born on August 11, 1948, in Odisha, India. A retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1972 Gujarat cadre, he currently serves as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, a role he has held since September 11, 2019. Known for his expertise in agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure, and public policy, Mishra has had a remarkable career spanning over five decades, earning him a reputation as one of India’s most trusted and efficient administrators.
Mishra’s academic credentials are impressive. He completed his M.A. in Economics with first-class honors from the Delhi School of Economics in 1972. Later, he pursued an M.A. in Development Economics and a Ph.D. in Economics/Development Studies from the University of Sussex, UK, further solidifying his intellectual foundation in economic policy and development. His educational background has significantly shaped his approach to governance, particularly in agriculture and disaster management.
Mishra’s association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dates back to 2001 when Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat. During this period, Mishra served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister from 2001 to 2004. One of his standout contributions came during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority, laying the groundwork for effective disaster response systems. His work in this field earned him international recognition, including the prestigious United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2019, one of the highest global honors in disaster management.
After his tenure in Gujarat, Mishra held several key positions at both state and national levels. He served as Union Agriculture Secretary, where he spearheaded transformative initiatives like the National Agriculture Development Programme (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RKVY) and the National Food Security Mission (NFSM). His expertise also extended to other sectors, including power, infrastructure financing, and regulatory affairs. Notable roles include Chairman of the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (post-retirement in 2008) and positions in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Urban Development, and the National Capital Region Planning Board.
Following his retirement from the IAS in 2008, Mishra was recalled by Narendra Modi in 2014, when Modi became Prime Minister, to serve as Additional Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). This position was specially created for him, reflecting the trust Modi placed in his abilities. During his tenure as Additional Principal Secretary (2014-2019), Mishra introduced innovative changes in human resource management, particularly in senior appointments and bureaucratic restructuring. In 2019, after Nripendra Misra stepped down, Mishra was elevated to Principal Secretary, a role he has continued into Modi’s third term, with his reappointment effective June 10, 2024.
Mishra’s administrative style is characterized by a low-key, meticulous, and integrity-driven approach. Colleagues describe him as a “man of few words,” yet his influence within the PMO is profound. He is known for overseeing critical policy decisions, managing high-level appointments, and maintaining a close working relationship with Modi, a partnership that began over two decades ago in Gujarat. His long tenure and continued reappointment underscore his indispensable role in the Modi administration.
In addition to his domestic contributions, Mishra has international experience, including research work at the Institute of Development Studies (UK) and participation in negotiations for projects with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. He has also been a member of the Governing Board of the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and has contributed to global discussions on disaster management and development.
As of February 26, 2025, Mishra remains a key figure in India’s governance framework, working alongside Shaktikanta Das, who was recently appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister, marking a historic dual-secretary structure in the PMO. Mishra’s career is a testament to his dedication to public service, blending academic rigor with practical administrative acumen.