Senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar, a 1994-batch Rajasthan cadre officer, has recently been appointed as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. His appointment comes at a crucial time when the education sector is facing several challenges, including examination reforms, transparency in competitive tests, and implementation of the National Education Policy.

Gangwar replaced Vineet Joshi as Higher Education Secretary after a government reshuffle. However, soon after his appointment, questions emerged over allegations related to horticulture subsidies received by his family members during his earlier tenure at the National Horticulture Board (NHB).

The allegations relate to subsidies granted for cucumber cultivation projects under a government-supported protected cultivation scheme aimed at promoting commercial horticulture.

Allegations Over Cucumber Cultivation Subsidies

According to a report published in June 2026, family members of Naresh Pal Gangwar allegedly received subsidies worth more than ₹1.16 crore under the National Horticulture Board’s scheme for protected cultivation.

The beneficiaries reportedly included Gangwar’s mother Bindumati, his wife Dr Ranjita Singh, and his son Kumar Writwik. The projects were located in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, and involved cucumber cultivation using protected farming methods.

The scheme, titled “Development of Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management of Horticulture Crops,” operates under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). It is administered by the National Horticulture Board, an organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

The report raised questions about the approval process and whether there was any possible conflict of interest, considering Gangwar’s senior government positions during the period when these projects were initiated and approved.

Details of Subsidies Received by Family Members

Records cited in the report indicate that three family members received subsidies for separate cucumber cultivation projects.

Gangwar’s mother, Bindumati, reportedly received a subsidy of around ₹46.03 lakh in January 2025 for a cucumber cultivation project in Bhasingpura village under Jorpura Jobner tehsil in Jaipur district. The project covered approximately 8,880 square metres and had an estimated cost of ₹99.38 lakh.

At the time of the subsidy release, Gangwar was serving as Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Another project belonging to Gangwar’s son, Kumar Writwik, reportedly received a subsidy of around ₹46.49 lakh in March 2023. The cucumber cultivation project, located in Dhani Boraj village under Jorpura Jobner tehsil, covered about 8,736 square metres and had an estimated cost of ₹97.94 lakh.

A third project associated with Gangwar’s wife, Dr Ranjita Singh, reportedly received a subsidy of around ₹24.36 lakh during the 2021-22 financial year. The project, also related to cucumber cultivation, covered around 4,048 square metres and had an estimated cost of ₹49.31 lakh.

Questions Over Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

The report highlighted that Gangwar disclosed details of only one project approved under the scheme in his mandatory annual property declaration submitted to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) for 2021-22.

The issue has triggered discussions over disclosure requirements and possible conflict-of-interest concerns involving government officials and their family members benefiting from state-supported schemes.

Gangwar Denies Any Wrongdoing

Responding to the allegations, Naresh Pal Gangwar denied any wrongdoing and stated that there was no violation of service rules.

He reportedly said that his mother and son did not fall under the category of dependent family members as defined under the All India Services (Conduct) Rules. He also stated that details regarding his wife’s assets were disclosed as required under government regulations.

Gangwar maintained that the horticulture projects were legitimate and had been approved under the applicable government scheme.

Agricultural Land Declaration Submitted to DoPT

In his immovable property declaration for 2024-25, filed with the Department of Personnel and Training on January 1, 2026, Gangwar reportedly disclosed agricultural land located in Dhani Boraj village in Jaipur district.

The declaration mentioned land ownership involving his wife, mother, son, and daughter.

The document also reportedly noted that a commercial horticulture project on the land had been sanctioned by the National Horticulture Board under the scheme for development of commercial horticulture through production and post-harvest management.

Appointment Comes During Critical Phase for Education Sector

Gangwar’s appointment as Higher Education Secretary comes at a time when the education ministry is dealing with several sensitive issues, including examination paper leak controversies, reforms in entrance examinations, and demands for greater accountability in assessment systems.

His new role places him at the centre of policy decisions affecting universities, higher education institutions, and national examination frameworks.

The allegations related to horticulture subsidies have therefore drawn additional attention because of the importance of maintaining transparency and public confidence in senior administrative appointments.

The matter has highlighted broader debates around conflict-of-interest rules, disclosure practices for senior bureaucrats, and the participation of government officials’ families in schemes administered by government bodies.

As Gangwar begins his tenure in the Higher Education Ministry, attention is likely to remain focused on both his administrative responsibilities and the outcome of any further examination of the subsidy-related allegations.

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