Sanjay Garg Takes Charge as Director General of BIS

Senior civil servant Sanjay Garg of the IAS 1994 batch (Kerala cadre) has assumed charge as Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) effective 1 November 2025. This appointment places him at the helm of India’s national standards body, with additional responsibility as the President of India’s national committee in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Background & Career Highlights

Sanjay Garg brings over 30 years of administrative experience covering strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation across sectors such as agriculture, food logistics, defence industry, industrial promotion, finance and social sectors.

Prior to joining BIS as DG, his key roles included,

• Secretary, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Research and Education (DARE)

In these roles, he led digital transformations (for example, the “Kisan Sarathi” portal connecting farmers with scientists) and managed World Bank‑funded projects.

Role and Significance of the Appointment

What is BIS?

• BIS is India’s national body responsible for formulating standards for products and services, ensuring quality, safety and reliability for consumers, industries and markets.
• It plays a key role in supporting national policy objectives in areas like consumer protection, food‑safety, industrial regulation and hallmarking.

Why this appointment matters

• As DG, Sanjay Garg will shape the standards ecosystem in India at a critical time when the country emphasises quality infrastructure, “Make in India”, exports, and alignment with global standards.
• His role as President of India’s national committee in IEC means he will represent Indian interests in global standardisation forums—enhancing India’s voice in international standard‑setting.