New Higher Education Secretary faces allegations over cucumber subsidies to family
IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar, who has taken charge as the new Higher Education Secretary, has faced allegations over family-linked horticulture subsidies during his previous posting.
IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar, who was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education on Thursday, is facing allegations over subsidies reportedly received by his family members under a protected cultivation scheme during his tenure at the National Horticulture Board.
The allegations were reported in a June 2026 investigation by an English newspaper, The Indian Express, which stated that his mother, wife and son were among the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Gangwar was recently appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Dairy and Animal Husbandry. However, he was moved to the Education Ministry shortly after, replacing Vineet Joshi, who has now been transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
ALLEGATIONS LINKED TO HORTICULTURE SCHEME
According to the Express report, Gangwar’s wife, mother and son were among the beneficiaries of subsidies provided under the National Horticulture Board’s Protected Cultivation Scheme.
The report stated that the family members allegedly received subsidies of around Rs 1.16 crore for cucumber cultivation projects. The investigation also raised questions about the approval of these projects during Gangwar’s tenure at the National Horticulture Board.
The report further alleged that the matter involved subsidy approvals linked to family members of the senior IAS officer.
GANGWAR’S RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS
Gangwar has denied any wrongdoing and said that there was no violation of service rules.
According to the report, Gangwar stated 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 said that details related to his wife’s assets were disclosed as required under the rules.
APPOINTMENT COMES AMID EDUCATION CHALLENGES
Gangwar’s appointment comes at a time when the education ministry is dealing with several major issues, including examination reforms, implementation of the National Education Policy and concerns around transparency in entrance examinations.
Following the announcement of his appointment, discussions around the earlier allegations gained attention on social media, with several users sharing references to the reported subsidy issue.
However, no official finding has been made public confirming any violation by Gangwar, and the government has not issued a separate statement on the allegations.
IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar, who was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education on Thursday, is facing allegations over subsidies reportedly received by his family members under a protected cultivation scheme during his tenure at the National Horticulture Board.
The allegations were reported in a June 2026 investigation by an English newspaper, The Indian Express, which stated that his mother, wife and son were among the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Gangwar was recently appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Dairy and Animal Husbandry. However, he was moved to the Education Ministry shortly after, replacing Vineet Joshi, who has now been transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
ALLEGATIONS LINKED TO HORTICULTURE SCHEME
According to the Express report, Gangwar’s wife, mother and son were among the beneficiaries of subsidies provided under the National Horticulture Board’s Protected Cultivation Scheme.
The report stated that the family members allegedly received subsidies of around Rs 1.16 crore for cucumber cultivation projects. The investigation also raised questions about the approval of these projects during Gangwar’s tenure at the National Horticulture Board.
The report further alleged that the matter involved subsidy approvals linked to family members of the senior IAS officer.
GANGWAR’S RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS
Gangwar has denied any wrongdoing and said that there was no violation of service rules.
According to the report, Gangwar stated 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 said that details related to his wife’s assets were disclosed as required under the rules.
APPOINTMENT COMES AMID EDUCATION CHALLENGES
Gangwar’s appointment comes at a time when the education ministry is dealing with several major issues, including examination reforms, implementation of the National Education Policy and concerns around transparency in entrance examinations.
Following the announcement of his appointment, discussions around the earlier allegations gained attention on social media, with several users sharing references to the reported subsidy issue.
However, no official finding has been made public confirming any violation by Gangwar, and the government has not issued a separate statement on the allegations.
IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar, who was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education on Thursday, is facing allegations over subsidies reportedly received by his family members under a protected cultivation scheme during his tenure at the National Horticulture Board.
The allegations were reported in a June 2026 investigation by an English newspaper, The Indian Express, which stated that his mother, wife and son were among the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Gangwar was recently appointed as Secretary of the Ministry of Dairy and Animal Husbandry. However, he was moved to the Education Ministry shortly after, replacing Vineet Joshi, who has now been transferred to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
ALLEGATIONS LINKED TO HORTICULTURE SCHEME
According to the Express report, Gangwar’s wife, mother and son were among the beneficiaries of subsidies provided under the National Horticulture Board’s Protected Cultivation Scheme.
The report stated that the family members allegedly received subsidies of around Rs 1.16 crore for cucumber cultivation projects. The investigation also raised questions about the approval of these projects during Gangwar’s tenure at the National Horticulture Board.
The report further alleged that the matter involved subsidy approvals linked to family members of the senior IAS officer.
GANGWAR’S RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS
Gangwar has denied any wrongdoing and said that there was no violation of service rules.
According to the report, Gangwar stated 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 said that details related to his wife’s assets were disclosed as required under the rules.
APPOINTMENT COMES AMID EDUCATION CHALLENGES
Gangwar’s appointment comes at a time when the education ministry is dealing with several major issues, including examination reforms, implementation of the National Education Policy and concerns around transparency in entrance examinations.
Following the announcement of his appointment, discussions around the earlier allegations gained attention on social media, with several users sharing references to the reported subsidy issue.
However, no official finding has been made public confirming any violation by Gangwar, and the government has not issued a separate statement on the allegations.
