Lav Agarwal, a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. His calm and respectful demeanor during numerous press briefings at the PIB National Media Centre garnered significant public attention.
Wiki/Biography
Lav Agarwal was born on Saturday, February 19, 1972 (age 51 as of 2023), in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. A high-achieving student from a young age, he pursued a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, graduating in 1993. Following this, he dedicated himself to the civil services examination, successfully clearing the UPSC exam in 1996 and embarking on his IAS career.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
- Hair Colour: Black
- Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Lav Agarwal hails from the Hindu Bania community. His father, K. G. Agarwal, is a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 45 years of experience in Saharanpur. Information regarding his mother and siblings remains limited.
Relationships, Wife & Children
Lav Agarwal is married, though details about his wife and children are not publicly available.
Career
A 1996 batch Andhra Pradesh Cadre IAS officer, Lav Agarwal’s career journey is marked by diverse and impactful roles. His initial posting as Assistant Collector in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, was followed by a series of significant positions within the Andhra Pradesh government.
These included:
- Jt Chief Electoral Officer
- Collector & D.M. (West Godavari)
- Collector & D.M. (Vishakapatnam)
- Commissioner/Director (Disaster Management Andhra Pradesh)
Subsequently, he was appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, serving a five-year term (August 29, 2016 – August 28, 2021).
| Dates | Designation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 20/06/1997 – 01/06/1998 | Assistant Collector | Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh |
| 01/08/1998 – 21/06/2000 | Assistant Collector | Bhadrachalam district, Andhra Pradesh |
| 22/06/2000 – 08/07/2002 | Project Director (Rural Development) | Medak district, Andhra Pradesh |
| 08/07/2002 – 15/07/2003 | Jt Collector | Medak, Andhra Pradesh |
| 16/07/2003 – 09/11/2003 | Jt Collector | Nellore, Andhra Pradesh |
| 10/11/2003 – 15/06/2004 | Jt Chief Electoral Officer | State Election Commission, Andhra Pradesh |
| 15/06/2004 – 31/12/2004 | Deputy Secretary | Chief Minister’s Sectt, Andhra Pradesh |
| 01/01/2005 – 26/05/2005 | Joint Secretary | Chief Minister’s Sectt, Andhra Pradesh |
| 26/05/2005 – 29/05/2007 | Collector & D.M. | West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh |
| 29/05/2007 – 23/03/2008 | Chairman & M.D. | Eastern Power Distribution Co Ltd (EPDCL) Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 23/03/2008 – 14/06/2011 | Director | Education Deptt, Andhra Pradesh |
| 14/06/2011 – 25/09/2012 | Collector & D.M. | Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| 25/09/2012 – 18/01/2015 | Secretary | Youth Affairs, Tourism & Culture Deptt, Andhra Pradesh |
| 18/01/2015 – 21/02/2016 | Commissioner & CEO | Health & Family Welfare, Andhra Pradesh |
| 27/05/2016 – 29/08/2016 | Commissioner/Director | Disaster Management, Andhra Pradesh |
| 29/08/2016 – 28/08/2021 | Joint Secretary | M/o Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India |
Salary
As Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Lav Agarwal’s salary was approximately Rs. 218,200.
Facts/Trivia
Known for his quiet demeanor and effective communication style, Lav Agarwal has represented India at various international health forums, including the U.S.-India Health Dialogue. His daily briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic brought him widespread recognition. He is known for his dedication to his work, often putting in long hours and prioritizing his responsibilities. Outside of work, he enjoys photography and fitness activities like yoga and exercise. Despite his newfound fame, he remains humble and focused on serving the public good.
