Gauri Parashar Joshi, IAS: Profile, Husband and Family

Gauri Parashar Joshi, IAS - Biographical Account

Personal Profile:

• Name: Gauri Parashar Joshi
• Batch: 2009
• Cadre: Odisha (initially, later shifted to Haryana on deputation)
• Education:
  • Schooling in Delhi, known for her academic excellence.
  • After her schooling, Gauri pursued a course in journalism but decided to aim for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
  • She cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2008 with an All India Rank of 60.
• Career Highlights:
  • Served in Kalahandi, Odisha, where she was appreciated for her administrative skills and execution of government programs.
  • Transferred to Haryana, her home state, where she continued her administrative career with notable service.
  • She was notably the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, Haryana, where she made headlines for her handling of the Panchkula violence following the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2017.
  • She was also posted as the Deputy Director at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie before being repatriated to her parent cadre in 2022.

Family Background:

• Father: R. N. Parashar, known for being the Chief Adviser of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, indicating a politically and administratively influential family background.
• Husband: Ajit Balaji Joshi, who is also an IAS officer from the 2003 batch of the Haryana cadre. He has held significant positions, including Deputy Commissioner of Chandigarh.

Relationship Status:

• Gauri Parashar Joshi is married to Ajit Balaji Joshi, highlighting a professional and personal partnership within the administrative services.

Recent News and Controversies:

• Panchkula Violence (2017): Gauri Parashar Joshi was at the center of media attention for her role during the violent aftermath of the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. She was commended for her bravery and decisive action in controlling the situation by calling in the Army when local law enforcement was overwhelmed. This event was widely reported, and she was celebrated as a hero who managed to quell potentially escalating violence.
• Administrative Shuffles: There have been mentions of her being transferred from her position as Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula to roles like Director and Special Secretary in the Social Justice and Empowerment Department in Haryana, indicating her dynamic career path within the administrative system.
• Repatriation: In 2022, she was prematurely repatriated to her parent cadre from her position at LBSNAA, indicating changes in her career trajectory influenced by personal or administrative considerations.

Controversies:

• While Gauri Parashar Joshi has not been directly embroiled in personal controversies, the nature of her job, especially during high-tension situations like the Panchkula violence, put her in the spotlight. The primary controversy or discussion around her has been related to her administrative decisions and the effectiveness of her crisis management, rather than personal misconduct.

This biographical account paints Gauri Parashar Joshi as a dedicated public servant with a commendable record in managing crisis situations while also navigating the complexities of administrative transfers and roles within the Indian bureaucracy. Her personal life, intertwined with her professional one through her marriage to another IAS officer, adds a unique dimension to her public service career.