Abhishek Singh

Abhishek Singh is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1995 batch, currently serving as the Director General of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. He also holds the position of CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, overseeing AI, emerging technologies, and the Digital India Bhashini Division.
 

Abhishek has held several significant roles in the past, including CEO of MyGov and Digital India Corporation, where he led citizen engagement projects for the Government of India. He also served as the President and CEO of NeGD, focusing on digital governance initiatives, and worked as the CEO of Karmayogi Bharat, contributing to national development. He has extensive experience in the governance and implementation of technology-based solutions at both the state and central levels.
 

His previous work experience includes high-level administrative positions in the state of Nagaland, where he was Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and held additional charges such as Home Commissioner. He also worked as the Executive Director at the Food Corporation of India (FCI), overseeing IT, engineering, and storage projects for food security.
 

Abhishek's academic background includes a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, and he holds a B.Tech and M.Tech from IIT Kanpur. He has worked on numerous development programs, including rural infrastructure, health, and education initiatives, often in coordination with international organizations like DFID, UNICEF, and WHO. His experience spans managing law and order, revenue collection, and implementing vital public services.

Abhishek Singh was born in India and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1995, securing a position in the prestigious batch of that year. He completed his early education in India and pursued his B.Tech and M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, between 1988 and 1992. This laid the foundation for his future in both technology and governance. He further advanced his studies by attending the Harvard Kennedy School, where he completed a Master's in Public Administration as a Mason Fellow in 2013.
 

After joining the IAS, Abhishek’s early career took him to various parts of India, where he gained experience in administration, law and order, and the implementation of development programs. He served in the states of Nagaland and Uttar Pradesh, where his responsibilities included overseeing the implementation of grassroots development schemes and managing law and order, often in difficult and challenging conditions. During his tenure, he was involved in projects such as constructing roads and irrigation canals, building schools and hospitals, and managing natural disasters like floods and droughts.

In 2009, Abhishek was appointed the Director of E-Governance at the Department of Information Technology, Government of India, where he coordinated several key national projects. He oversaw the implementation of the Common Services Centers (CSC) Project, which became the world’s largest telecenter project, and the E-District Mission Mode Project aimed at bringing e-governance services to the district level. These initiatives were crucial in providing government services to rural citizens.

Between 2014 and 2017, he served as the Executive Director at the Food Corporation of India (FCI), where he focused on the implementation of information technology and engineering projects related to food security. He also held additional charge as the Chief Vigilance Officer, overseeing the transparency and efficiency of FCI’s operations.
 

In 2017, Abhishek became the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, with additional responsibilities such as overseeing Urban Development and Personnel & Administrative Reforms. During this period, he played a key role in managing state governance, policy formulation, and administrative reforms. He also served as Home Commissioner in 2018, managing critical law and order issues in the state.
 

In 2019, he was appointed the President and CEO of NeGD, where he coordinated e-governance projects across India. He also became the CEO of MyGov, the Government of India’s citizen engagement platform, from 2019 to 2022. In these roles, he oversaw several large-scale campaigns, ensuring the active participation of citizens in governance. He was also the Managing Director and CEO of Digital India Corporation from 2020 to 2024, leading projects that focused on the digital transformation of India.
 

Abhishek’s leadership in digital governance earned him a key role as the Director General of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which he took up in 2023. In these capacities, he is responsible for overseeing initiatives related to Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies, and the Digital India Bhashini Division. He also serves as the CEO of the India AI Mission, focusing on advancing AI research and development in India.
 

Abhishek’s extensive career reflects his commitment to improving governance through technology, delivering public services more efficiently, and ensuring transparency. His leadership has had a significant impact on various governance initiatives, especially in the fields of digital services, e-governance, and AI. He continues to contribute to India’s digital transformation and AI mission, overseeing critical projects that aim to improve the country’s technological landscape and bring inclusive growth to all sectors.

Abhishek Singh envisions a future where technology is a driving force for inclusive governance and development. His vision is to leverage emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence to improve public service delivery, enhance transparency, and empower citizens across India. He aims to build a digital ecosystem that fosters innovation, supports sustainable growth, and bridges the digital divide, making technology accessible to everyone, especially in rural and underserved areas. Through his work, he strives to create a more efficient, transparent, and equitable society for all citizens.

Abhishek Singh has received recognition for his leadership in digital governance and public service. His work in implementing e-governance projects, such as the Common Services Centers and E-District Mission Mode Project, has been widely acknowledged for transforming public service delivery. As CEO of MyGov and Digital India Corporation, his efforts in citizen engagement and digital transformation were recognised for their impact on India’s governance. His contributions to the integration of technology in governance have earned him a reputation as a leader in India’s digital journey.