- Key Roles: Dhananjay Dwivedi, a 1998-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, serves as Additional Chief Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, as of July 2025.
- Career Highlights: With over 27 years of administrative experience, Dwivedi has driven impactful health policies, urban development, and water resource management across Gujarat.
- Educational Background: Holds a robust academic foundation, though specific details remain limited in public records.
- Current Status: Appointed Principal Secretary in October 2023, promoted to Additional Chief Secretary by June 2025, overseeing critical healthcare initiatives post the Air India Flight AI-171 crash.
- Key Contributions: Spearheaded health infrastructure upgrades, digital health initiatives, and emergency response enhancements in Gujarat.
Who is Dhananjay Dwivedi?
Dhananjay Dwivedi is a seasoned Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer whose leadership has significantly shaped Gujarat’s health and administrative landscape. As Additional Chief Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department, he plays a pivotal role in policy formulation, healthcare delivery, and public welfare. His career, spanning nearly three decades, reflects a commitment to innovation, governance, and public service excellence.
What Has He Achieved?
Dwivedi’s tenure has seen transformative advancements in Gujarat’s healthcare system. From strengthening health infrastructure to implementing national schemes like Ayushman Bharat, his leadership has prioritized accessibility and quality. His oversight of emergency medical services following the 2025 Air India crash underscores his ability to manage crises effectively.
Why Is His Work Important?
As Gujarat navigates rapid urbanization and public health challenges, Dwivedi’s strategic vision ensures resilient healthcare systems. His contributions to digital health platforms and disease prevention programs align with India’s broader health goals, making him a key figure in Gujarat’s development narrative.
Recent Developments
As of July 1, 2025, Dwivedi continues to lead the Health & Family Welfare Department, with recent responsibilities including the supervision of IAS officers appointed to manage medical operations post the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. His promotion to Additional Chief Secretary in 2025 reflects his growing influence in Gujarat’s administration.
Architect of Gujarat’s Healthcare Future: The Inspiring Journey of Dhananjay Dwivedi, IAS
Dhananjay Dwivedi, a 1998-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Gujarat cadre, stands as a cornerstone of Gujarat’s administrative and healthcare landscape. As Additional Chief Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, as of July 2025, Dwivedi has dedicated over 27 years to public service, driving transformative policies in healthcare, water resources, and urban development. His journey reflects a blend of strategic vision, administrative acumen, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Gujarat’s citizens. This biography explores his life, career, and contributions, offering a comprehensive look at a leader shaping the future of one of India’s most progressive states.
Early Life and Education: Building a Foundation for Leadership
While specific details about Dhananjay Dwivedi’s early life and educational background are not widely documented in public records, his career trajectory suggests a strong academic foundation, likely in technical or administrative disciplines, typical of IAS officers of his caliber. Born in India, Dwivedi’s formative years were shaped by a commitment to public service, a trait that led him to clear the highly competitive Civil Services Examination in 1998. His academic rigor and intellectual curiosity have been evident in his ability to navigate complex administrative challenges across diverse sectors, from water resources to healthcare.
Career Progression: A Journey of Impactful Governance
Dwivedi’s career in the IAS began in 1998, marking the start of a distinguished journey in public administration. Over the years, he has held a series of pivotal roles across multiple departments in the Government of Gujarat, showcasing his versatility and expertise. His early assignments included roles in district administration, where he honed his skills in grassroots governance, policy implementation, and public engagement.
Key Milestones in His Career
- Early Roles: Dwivedi served in various capacities in district administration and state departments, gaining experience in governance and policy execution.
- Secretary, IT, Science & Technology Department: Prior to his health portfolio, Dwivedi was instrumental in advancing Gujarat’s digital infrastructure, laying the groundwork for technology-driven governance [Elets eGov,].
- Principal Secretary, Narmada, Water Resources, Water Supply & Kalpsar Department: Until October 2023, Dwivedi led critical water resource management initiatives, ensuring sustainable water supply and infrastructure development for Gujarat’s growing population [Indian Bureaucracy,].
- Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department (October 2023): Appointed on October 31, 2023, succeeding Manoj Aggarwal, Dwivedi took charge of Gujarat’s health sector during a period of significant transformation [Times of India,].
- Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department (2025): By June 2025, Dwivedi was promoted to Additional Chief Secretary, reflecting his growing influence and leadership in healthcare governance [Gujarat Samachar,].
His transition to the Health & Family Welfare Department marked a significant shift, aligning his expertise with Gujarat’s pressing need for robust healthcare systems. His promotion to Additional Chief Secretary in 2025 underscores his strategic importance to the state’s administrative framework.
Current Role: Leading Gujarat’s Healthcare Transformation
As Additional Chief Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Dwivedi oversees the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at improving healthcare delivery, disease prevention, and family welfare services. His role involves coordinating with central and state agencies, managing health infrastructure, and ensuring the effective rollout of national health programs like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission (NHM) .
Key Responsibilities
- Policy Formulation: Developing strategies to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality across Gujarat’s urban and rural areas.
- Health Infrastructure: Overseeing the expansion and modernization of hospitals, primary health centers, and medical colleges.
- Crisis Management: Leading emergency medical responses, such as post the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, where he supervised the deployment of four IAS officers to manage medical operations at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad [Gujarat Samachar,].
- Digital Health Initiatives: Promoting e-health platforms and telemedicine to bridge gaps in healthcare access.
- Public Health Programs: Strengthening vaccination drives, maternal and child health programs, and disease surveillance systems.
Dwivedi’s leadership has been pivotal in aligning Gujarat’s health policies with national goals, ensuring that the state remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
Key Projects and Initiatives: Transforming Gujarat’s Healthcare Landscape
Under Dwivedi’s stewardship, the Health & Family Welfare Department has made significant strides in improving healthcare outcomes. His tenure has coincided with a period of rapid transformation, driven by both state and national initiatives. Key projects include:
| Initiative | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ayushman Bharat | Expanded access to free healthcare for low-income families through empaneled hospitals. | Over 1.5 crore beneficiaries enrolled in Gujarat by 2025. |
| National Health Mission (NHM) | Strengthened primary healthcare through sub-centers and community health programs. | Improved maternal and child health outcomes [NHM,]. |
| Digital Health Platforms | Implemented e-Sanjeevani telemedicine services and health management systems. | Enhanced healthcare access in rural areas. |
| Emergency Medical Services | Post the Air India crash in June 2025, coordinated rapid medical response and hospital preparedness. | Streamlined crisis management at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad [Gujarat Samachar,]. |
| Disease Prevention | Strengthened surveillance for diseases like dengue and rabies, with proactive measures in urban centers. | Reduced disease outbreaks through early intervention [Times of India,]. |
These initiatives reflect Dwivedi’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive healthcare system, addressing both immediate needs and long-term goals.
Crisis Leadership: Responding to the Air India Flight AI-171 Crash
In June 2025, the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad tested Gujarat’s healthcare infrastructure. As Additional Chief Secretary, Dwivedi played a critical role in coordinating the medical response. He oversaw the deployment of four IAS officers—Nitin Sangwan, Harshit Gosavi, Arvind V, and Dr. Prashant Jilova—to Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, ensuring efficient management of medical operations and support for victims [Gujarat Samachar,]. His swift and strategic response underscored his ability to lead under pressure, reinforcing public confidence in the state’s healthcare system.
Vision and Leadership: A Holistic Approach to Public Health
Dwivedi’s leadership is characterized by a forward-thinking approach that integrates technology, policy, and community engagement. His prior experience in IT and water resources has informed his innovative approach to healthcare, particularly in leveraging digital tools to enhance service delivery. His focus on preventive healthcare, infrastructure development, and crisis preparedness aligns with Gujarat’s broader vision of sustainable development.
His ability to manage multiple portfolios, from water resources to health, highlights his versatility and strategic acumen. Dwivedi’s emphasis on inter-departmental coordination has ensured that health policies are integrated with urban planning and infrastructure development, creating a holistic approach to governance.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Leading Gujarat’s Health & Family Welfare Department comes with significant challenges, including addressing rural-urban healthcare disparities, managing public health crises, and ensuring sustainable funding for health programs. Dwivedi’s experience in resource management and policy execution positions him well to tackle these issues. Looking ahead, his leadership is expected to focus on:
- Expanding Telemedicine: Scaling up e-Sanjeevani to reach remote areas.
- Strengthening Health Infrastructure: Modernizing hospitals and increasing bed capacity.
- Preventive Healthcare: Enhancing surveillance and vaccination programs to combat emerging diseases.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with private healthcare providers to improve service delivery.
As Gujarat aims to achieve universal health coverage, Dwivedi’s strategic vision will be instrumental in realizing this goal.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Service and Transformation
Dhananjay Dwivedi’s journey from a 1998-batch IAS officer to Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat’s Health & Family Welfare Department is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and leadership. His contributions to healthcare, crisis management, and digital innovation have positioned Gujarat as a leader in public health. As he continues to shape the state’s healthcare landscape, Dwivedi’s legacy is one of transformative governance, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.