Hasmukh Adhia

Hasmukh Adhia (born 3 November 1958) is a senior Indian civil servant belonging to the 1981 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Gujarat cadre. He is best known for his tenure as Finance Secretary and Revenue Secretary of India and for playing a key role in major economic reforms, including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the 2016 demonetisation. Recognised as one of the most influential bureaucrats of his time, Adhia’s career reflects a blend of administrative skill, academic excellence, and policy innovation.

Early Life and Education

Hasmukh Adhia was born and educated in Gujarat. He obtained a master’s degree in commerce from Gujarat University, where he was a distinguished student. He later attended the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, where he completed a Post Graduate Programme in Public Management and Policy and was awarded a gold medal for his academic performance.
Unusually for a civil servant, Adhia also holds a Doctorate in Yoga from Swami Vivekanand Yoga University, Bangalore. His research focused on the impact of yoga on management practices, reflecting his interest in combining spiritual discipline with administrative efficiency.

Career in Government

Service in Gujarat

Before joining the central government, Adhia served in several important positions in the Government of Gujarat. He began his career as District Magistrate and Collector in Bhavnagar and Surat and later served as Industries Commissioner, Managing Director of the Gujarat Industrial Investment Corporation, and Principal Secretary (Education). Eventually, he became Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) in the Gujarat state administration, where he was instrumental in strengthening fiscal management and policy execution.

Service in the Central Government

Adhia’s work at the national level began with his appointment as Secretary, Department of Financial Services in the Ministry of Finance in November 2014. In this role, he oversaw banking reforms, insurance policies, and financial inclusion schemes, including the launch of initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
In September 2015, he was appointed Revenue Secretary of India, and in November 2017, he was elevated to the position of Finance Secretary, the senior-most post in the Ministry of Finance. During this period, he was a central figure in implementing GST, a landmark reform that unified India’s indirect tax system. He was also a member of the team that oversaw the 2016 demonetisation of ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 notes, one of India’s most significant financial policy decisions.

Major Contributions

Hasmukh Adhia’s administrative legacy is closely associated with India’s financial reforms of the 2010s.

• Goods and Services Tax (GST): He supervised the design, rollout, and coordination of the GST framework between the central and state governments, ensuring the transition to a unified tax regime.
• Demonetisation (2016): He played a crucial role in the planning and implementation of demonetisation, coordinating interdepartmental execution and banking operations during the transition.
• Financial Inclusion and Banking Reforms: As Secretary, Financial Services, he contributed to the expansion of banking access, restructuring of public sector banks, and the promotion of credit to small enterprises.
• Policy Innovation: Advocated for digitisation in tax administration and greater transparency in public finance.

Post-Retirement Roles

After retiring from the Indian Administrative Service in November 2018, Adhia continued to contribute to public service and corporate governance.

• He currently serves as the Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat in Gandhinagar.
• He is the Non-Executive Chairman of Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) and Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC).
• He was appointed Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, where he provides policy guidance on governance, finance, and industry development.

Professional Philosophy and Interests

Adhia’s approach to administration blends professional efficiency with spiritual balance. His background in yoga and meditation has influenced his management style, promoting stress-free work culture and ethical leadership. He is known for his emphasis on discipline, transparency, and performance-driven governance.

Criticisms and Controversies

During his tenure, Adhia faced criticism for his association with some of the government’s boldest financial decisions. The implementation of demonetisation drew both praise for its intent and criticism for its execution. Similarly, the rollout of GST, while transformative, faced initial technical and procedural challenges. Some observers also questioned his involvement in bureaucratic appointments within revenue departments. Nevertheless, his reputation as a capable and decisive administrator remained intact.