• A member of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1984 batch, Punjab Cadre
• Superannuation in June 2019 as Addl CS, Home Affairs & Justice, Govt of Punjab after 42 years of outstanding Public Service. In addition, he served in NTPC & Indian Railway for more than three years (1981-84)
• Dr. Kalsi has a great passion and rich experience in public policy planning and implementation in various Ministries and Department in the Government at federal and state levels.
• Served in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for 7 years as Joint Secretary and Addl Secretary to GoI (2008-2015) and Department of Home Affairs & Justice Punjab (2017-19) (Total 9.5 years),
• Handled the Departments of IT & Electronic Industry and e-Governance (9 years), Technical Education & Skilling (9.5 years), Public Works & Infrastructure, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Governance Reforms, District Administration, Disaster Management etc.

Professional Education

Bachelor of Engineering
University of Roorkee (1979)

M. Tech. Computer Technology
IIT Delhi (1981)

Ph.D. Information & Communication Technology
Thapar University, Patiala (2009)

Executive Education

Harvard Kennedy School
Senior Managers in the Government - Executive Education Programme

Cambridge University
Leadership and Strategic Thinking Program for leading change in government on a macro-perspective

IIM Bangalore

• Management of Delivery of Services in Government
• Negotiating Strategies & Public Private Partnership
• Financial Management Level-II

IIM Ahmedabad

• Infrastructure Development & Institutional Financing
• Industrial Policy Planning and Development

Specialised Knowledge and Skills

• The leadership and passion exhibited have always been hallmarks of the service. Have always been a role model and inspirational leader to guide subordinates and team members to achieve goals efficiently and effectively. Have great reputation and passion for creating institutional framework, technology stewardship, good governance, and HRD.
• Worked with Central and State Governments, PSUs, industry, and institutions in the areas of public policy, envisioning, strategy, planning, research & development, knowledge creation, technology deployment and public administration. To provide thought leadership, advise and directions on complex issues across Government departments, Government verticals and Government functions at various levels.
• Excellent project management and team management skills. Highly effective communication skills and ability to articulate, present clear strategy, policy, planning and deliver execution to senior stakeholders. Excellent problem-solving skills to lead the organisations towards pragmatic solutions.
• Have proficiency in analysis, visualization and presentations of facts, ideas and situations, reports and effectively using various technology tools for public administration and governance. Ability and capacity to handle multiple tasks, creatively manage crisis and handle dynamic case expectations.
• Very effective coaching and mentoring style for development of organisations, subordinates, and teams
• His contributions have been widely acknowledged and lauded by the Central and State Governments, government leaders, peers, subordinates, professionals, technical experts and academic bodies. Known for futuristic vision, bold & out-of-the-box thinking, creativity and innovation, creating entrepreneurial work culture and effective implementation. Is a very focused, passionate, sincere, hard charging, unamusing, warm-hearted and dynamic leader to infuses the organisations with own brand of positivity, motivation, optimism, energetic enthusiasm, perseverance, team work, self-discipline and straightforward & result-oriented approach.

Present Assignements

Chairperson National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)

• Dr Kalsi is presently the Chairperson National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India as the National Skilling Regulator since April 2021 to April 2024, appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• As Chairperson NCVET, he has been entrusted with the development, qualitative improvement and regulation of Vocational Education, Training and Skilling ecosystem. His main responsibilities include granting recognition to and monitoring the functioning of Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies, skill information providers, and training bodies.
• He played a key role in the development, rationalization, approval, notification and implementation of National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) with Level Descriptors; the most disruptive reform in education system i.e. the National Credit Framework (NCrF) jointly with UGC, AICTE and NCERT; qualifications on future of work & future skills. He passionately works on technical education, Vocational Education, Training and Skilling in Indian Language amongst other projects.
• In addition to the above he also worked on the formulation & implementation of guidelines on
  • Recognition of Awarding Bodies, Assessment Agencies and Dual Recognition
  • National Occupational Standards (NOS) & Micro Credentials (MC)
  • Multi-Skilling & Cross-Sectoral Skilling
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • Future skills, Employability Skills, Soft-skills, Blended Learning
  • Diploma Qualifications in Vocational Education, Training & Skilling
  • Training of Trainers (ToT) and Training of Assessors (ToA)
  • Higher Education: All matters relating to implementation of VET and Skilling in HEI including recognition
  • Creditisation of Skill Training of Multinational Companies (MNCs) and Leading Industry OEMs, EMSs, ODMs, VARs.
  • Indian Knowledge system, Indian Language initiative in technical and vocational education.
  • Qualifications of Multinational Companies – Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)/Original Design Manufacturer (ODM)/Value Added Reseller (VAR)/Other industry bodies
  • Mapping of Qualifications with National Classification of Occupations (NCO) Codes
  • Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM)
  • Adoption of Qualifications by Awarding Bodies
• As Chairman of High-Level Committee he developed the National Credit Framework enabling integration of academic and vocational domains of learning as well as experiential learning while ensuring mobility, Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit options and lifelong learning. The NCrF enables broad based, multi-disciplinary, holistic education, imaginative & need based curricular structure, encouraging creative combinations of subjects and disciplines and provides for the assignment, accumulation, storage, transfer and redemption of credits through Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
• He is also the Co-Chairman of a High level Committee (HLC) constituted by the Department of Higher Education, MoE with members from all regulators, IIT, NIT, and University system etc to oversee the implementation and Operationalisation of NCrF and resolve any challenges arising in the process.
• Working closely with the Universities, Engineering Colleges, School education and skilling ecosystem for the integration of skilling into all levels of education, upliftment of professional education, Indian knowledge system, Indian languages initiatives, introducing latest technologies & innovation while strengthening their linkages with nationalistic values, rich past and Indian cultural heritage.
• Presently he is also Chairing the expert committees constituted by University Grants Commission (UGC) for
  • Expert Committee to develop UGC Guidelines for Institutional Development Plans for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
  • Expert Committee to review University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020.

Director on the Board of Karamyogi Bharat (KYB)

• Dr Kalsi has been appointed as Director on the Board of Karamyogi Bharat (KYB) in October 2022 for a period of there years. KYB has a vision to transform Indian civil services capacity building landscape by establishing a robust digital ecosystem enabling continuous anytime-anywhere learning to make the officials future ready.
• As a Director on the Board of KYB, he substantially contributes to develop and maintain a comprehensive online digital platform, iGOT Karmayogi, on behalf of Government for the implementation of National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) to guide civil service officials in their competency-based capacity building journey by enabling online, face-to-face, and blended learning, facilitating discussions through topical forums, managing career paths, and enabling reliable assessments that credibly signal competencies of officials.

Board Member, Indian Institute of Management Rohtak

• Appointed as Member of Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak, Haryana. Indian Institute of Management Rohtak is the IIM established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India wide IIM Act 2017. IIM Rohtak is an institute of national importance as per Ministry of Education, Government of India with a primary mission to develop and prepare future leaders (corporate and non-corporate) who can manage and create powerful organizations with a sense of excellence, strong social commitment, and a passion for a value system.
• Established in 2009, Indian Institute of Management Rohtak has an enlightened and progressive leadership, acclaimed faculty members, extensive infrastructure and robust teaching pedagogy in place imparting knowledge in the management domain with a unique cross-functional perspective. It has been ranked amongst the top five IIMs in research.
• IIM Rohtak is providing world-class education in management not only through full-time and regular programmes but also through various long duration and short duration programmes.

Honorary Assignments, Social Work and Services

• Closely working with Samkalp, an NGO, to groom the students and aspirants from poor and needy families to take up the civil services as a career with a missionary zeal, nationalistic spirit and a total commitment towards the basic human values.
• As President, IIT Roorkee Alumni Association, Delhi Chapter & IIT Roorkee Heritage Foundation (IITRHF) Board Member, helping the students and Alumni to build professional competence, nationalist outlook and learn from our rich heritage while working for the nation building.
• Worked on the National and State related strategic security issues as convener of Central & South Asia Strategic Study Group (Sapt-Sindhu Group) with special reference to Punjab in the national perspective, and to counter the propaganda, sinister designs and separatist movement by India’s enemies.
• Member Scientific Advisory Council, Centre for Innovation and Bio Design (CIBioD), an initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) & PGIMER, Chandigarh (UT) for promoting research and innovation for affordable healthcare technologies in India.

Significant Contributions & Achievements

1. National Security, Internal Security and Information Security: As Joint Secretary (Police), handled Ministry of Home Affairs and Justice (9.5 Years) encompassing internal security, national security, management of 9.50 Lakh strong Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, AR, NSG).
2. The responsibilities included end to end management of expansion, strengthening, recruitments, capacity building, training, infrastructure, establishment matters, Discipline and Appeal / Vigilance cases of CAPFs at MHA level, deployment of CAPFs, welfare of CAPFs, deployment in UNDPKO etc. Also handled Establishment matters of IB and NIA. As JS CS (Centre State Relations) MHA, also handled Crime & Criminal Tracking & Network System, information security, crime control, prisons, law & order, Justice.
3. Assisted the Election Commission of India in meticulously security planning and conduct of 2014 General Elections with a record number of CAPF companies mobilized and deployed for ensuring free and fair elections. With 834 million registered voters, they were the largest-ever elections in the world until being surpassed by the 2019 elections. Around 23.1 million or 2.7% of the total eligible voters were aged 18–19 years. A total of 8,251 candidates contested the 543 elected Lok Sabha seats. The average election turnout was around 66.40%, the highest ever in the history of general elections.
4. As Addl Chief Secretary, Home Affairs & Justice Punjab effectively dealt with the management of State Police Force, including expansion, strengthening, recruitments, capacity building, training, infrastructure, establishment matters, Discipline and Appeal / Vigilance cases of Police were handled, control of organised crime & gagsters, created Special Operation Group to bust terrorist modules, also handled Prisons, Advocate General’s Office and Justice Department. Handled serious law & order issues in Malerkotla, Dist Sangrur, Punjab in December 1992 after Babri masjid episode.
5. Managed the District Administration during the peak of terrorism in Punjab (1985 to 1995) in the field postings as Deputy Commissioner, District Magistrate, Addl. DC, SDM and AC(UT).
6. Contributed significantly in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and Left-Wing Extremism (2010- 2014) through deployment of CAPFs, security infrastructure, air assets in LWE, NE and J&K theatres.
7. Created Special Operation Group with a highly specialized, trained and equipped unit in Punjab Police for acting effectively to neutralize threat of eventualities like fidayeen attack, terrorist attacks, hostage situations, armed infiltration; Established Special Task Force (STF) on Drugs for comprehensive action against drug abuse;
8. Headed Special Group on Drugs (SGoD), prepared a 'Comprehensive Action against Drug Abuse (CADA)' Plan, to fight against drugs in Punjab resulting in bringing about visible change. Struck to destroy the nexus between narcotics smugglers and gangsters.
9. Information and Communication Technology & e-Governance sector (12 years), encompassing ICT infrastructure & Services (Enterprise Architecture, Hardware, software, management), governance, reforms, citizen services, Created the policy for promotion of IT & ITES industry in Punjab.
10. Established Dept of Information Technology (IT) in Punjab in 1998. Contributed substantially to the formulation and implementation of Punjab’s IT and e-Governance Vision, Mission, Strategy & Action Plan (updated 1998-2007) delivery of citizen services through District Sukhmani Societies/ centers/ Sewa Kendras under Punjab State e-Governance Society. Worked on conceiving, designing & initiating the implementation of “Digital Punjab” initiative in 2017-18.
11. Drafted and got enacted the Punjab Transparency and Accountability in Delivery of Public Service Act, 2018 and Rules thereunder to provide for empowering online citizens service in a transparent, accountable and time bound manner.
12. Technical and Professional Education & HRD sector (7.5 Years + 5 years in IT HRD), encompassing technical education, higher education, industrial training, vocational education and skill development & employment generation.
13. As Director, Technical Education and Industrial Training, worked to conceive, design and implement policies, develop plans, restructure, capacity expansion, up-gradation, modernization, ICT education, quality improvements, monitoring and administration of technical education & industrial training systems in Punjab. Established the Punjab Technical University (1997), the first ever affiliating technical university in India.
14. Established the new Department of Employment and Vocational Training (2007); drafted and implemented the Employment and Vocational Training Policy 2007, including 10 schemes.

Impotant Positions and Assignments held in the past

1. Served as Chairman, State Police Complaints Authority, Punjab (January, 2020 to April 2021)
2. Acting Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab
3. Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Home Affairs & Justice
4. Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Governance Reforms & Public Grievances
5. Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Public Works Department, Govt of Punjab
6. Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry Govt of Punjab
7. Additional Secretary cum Advisor to Government of India, ICSC, Ministry of Home Affairs
8. Joint Secretary to Government of India, Police & Centre State Divisions, Ministry of Home Affairs
9. Leader, Indian Delegation, United National Congress on CCPCJ held in April, 2010 in Brazil
10. Leader, Indian Delegation, Sub-Group on Cyber Security, INDO-US Homeland Security Dialogue
11. Member National Task Force on minimum agenda for e-Governance, NEGP 1.0 and NEGP 2.0
12. Chairman, Task Force on the National Information Security Policy & Guidelines (NISPG) 2014
13. Secretary, Department of Employment and Vocational Training, Government of Punjab
14. Secretary/ Director, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Government of Punjab
15. Secretary/ Director, Department of Information Technology, Government of Punjab
16. Member on the Board of Governors of IIT Kanpur, All India Board of IT Education, AICTE, Punjab Technical University, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala
17. Director, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (SLIET), Punjab
18. Board Member, Board of Management, PAU & GADVASU Ludhiana.

PUBLICATIONS, BOOKS AUTHORED, DISSERTATIONS, MAJOR & MINOR PROJECTS & AWARDS