Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena took over as the 4th Lieutenant Governor of the UT of Ladakh on 13 March, 2026. Shri Saxena comes with over 40 years of vast experience in government, the corporate and social sectors. At the time of being appointed the Lt. Governor of Delhi, and also that of Ladakh, Shri Saxena remains the first person from the corporate sector ever selected for a gubernatorial position.

Prior to his appointment as the L-G of Ladakh, Shri Saxena had an illustrious stint as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from 26 May 2022 to 10 March 2026. The nearly 4-year stint of Shri Saxena as Delhi L-G, is marked by a number of administrative and structural reforms in government organisations, executed with great resolve and commitment to welfare of the people of Delhi. His vision and on-ground execution resulted in streamlining and optimising governance and infused financial self-sustainability in the Delhi Development Authority, directly under his charge. The Authority, perennially in loss since its inception, underwent a fiscal turnaround and posted surpluses in three years in a row, under his stewardship.

As the constitutional administrator of Delhi, Shri Saxena as LG, set the ball rolling for achieving the unthinkable - clearing the infamous three mountains of municipal solid waste in Delhi. On-ground initiatives and innovative measures for bio-remediation of the accumulated garbage, undertaken under his direct supervision, led to dramatic results. Disposal, which stood at 4700 MT per day till May 2022, went up to over 30,000 MT per day, when he demitted office.

Shri Saxena’s hands-on approach to environmental issues, particularly in the field of mitigating air and water pollution, resulted in creation of several breathable green assets across Delhi, like Asita, Baansera, Yamuna Vatika, Vasudev Ghat – all created by restoring and rejuvenating vast polluted and encroached stretches of Yamuna Floodplains.

Additionally, his on-ground interventions led to creation and revival of green spaces and public parks in Delhi, these included Vaishnavi in North Delhi and Atal Sadbhawana Park and Kranti Udyan along the ramparts of the old city, parallel to the Samadhi Complex.

Shri Saxena undertook concerted efforts to revive and restore several crumbling heritage structures and gave to the Capital, rejuvenated heritage sites in the shape of Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Anangpal Tomar Van, Shalimar Bagh, Roshanara Club and St. James Church.

These initiatives won accolades from several quarters and contributed immensely to the Government’s efforts to revive the city’s heritage, as indeed the River Yamuna.

Alongside the multiple initiatives that were undertaken to address the legacy issues plaguing the National Capital, Shri Saxena brought together all concerned agencies to carry out a massive plantation drive along the Yamuna floodplains, parks, reserve forests and along several arterial roads in Delhi. Approximately 2.50 crore trees were planted in Delhi during his tenure, which included 1.70 lakh bamboos that are known to sustain the environment by emitting 30% more oxygen than any other plant species. Shri Saxena also got exotic species like Chinar, Cherry Blossom, Sandalwood, Water Apple, Green Apple and the famed Lakadong Turmeric of Meghalaya planted in different parts of Delhi. Bulk plantation of Tulips, as also growing them indigenously in Delhi, also became a public spectacle over the last three years.

These efforts enriched Delhi's floral diversity, and added to creating an environmentally sustainable eco system.

Shri Saxena undertook a massive exercise to beautify the National Capital by installing artefacts and sculptures, procured from across the country. More than 200 such artefacts, like fountains, chariots, elephant and horse families, Konark Wheel among others, were installed during his tenure that enhanced the aesthetics of the National Capital.

While serving as Delhi L-G, Shri Saxena, for the first time, opened the doors of Raj Niwas (now renamed Lok Niwas) to the people of Delhi, holding dialogues with various citizen groups like senior citizens, villagers, teachers, doctors and medical fraternity, industries, among others, to understand their grievances and redress them. In less than three years, Shri Saxena interacted with nearly 80,000 persons at Lok Niwas. Also true to his commitment of being Delhi’s ‘Local Guardian’, Shri Saxena walked the roads and by-lanes of Delhi, covering approximately 3300 kms over 1349 field visits during his tenure, wherein he engaged with the masses personally.

Earlier, Shri Saxena served as the Chairman of Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) from October 2015 to May 2022. At KVIC, Shri Saxena diversified the Khadi and village industry sectors, employed scientific techniques and implemented several innovative projects. As a result, the turnover of KVIC grew by a massive 248% while a massive 40 lakh new employment were created in less than 6 years. It was during the tenure of Mr Saxena, that KVIC, for the first time, clocked a historic turnover of Rs 1.15 lakh crore in 2021-22, the highest by KVIC and by any FMCG company in India so far.

As Chairman of KVIC, Shri Saxena developed a close and affectionate association with Ladakh and its people. Having toured the region extensively, he successfully created local employment for hundreds of artisans by training them in spinning of Pashmina, promoted Khadi spinning and weaving activities by distributing charkha and looms and empowered the potters by distributing Electric Potter Wheels. On 2 October 2021, Shri Saxena got the world’s largest Khadi-made National Flag displayed at Leh.

Born in an educated and reputed family of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Saxena graduated from Kanpur University in 1981 and thereafter, during the course of his professional career, settled in Gujarat. He also holds a Pilot Licence. Shri Saxena’s leadership abilities on a diverse range of governance, social and corporate matters, fusioned with technical, legal, social and cultural skills, make him a philanthropist in vision, corporate scientist in action and a practitioner of good governance.

Shri Saxena started his career in 1984 as an Assistant Officer in Rajasthan with a private company. After working for 11 years in different capacities with its white cement plant, he was elevated in 1995 as General Manager to look after the proposed Port Project in Gujarat. He then rapidly rose to become the CEO and later elevated as Director of the Greenfield Dholera Port Project.

In recognition of his sharp social, cultural, political and administrative acumen, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi nominated Shri Saxena as a Member of the National Committee to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India's Independence. Earlier, he was nominated as a Member of the High Powered Padma Awards Selection Committee. Also, Hon’ble Prime Minister appointed him as a Member of the 'Empowered Committee' for evaluation of "Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration", for five consecutive years.

Wikipedia link : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinai_Kumar_Saxena