Speaker
Dr. Kumar Mahesh
IAS, Secretary (Art, Culture & Languages Department) Delhi
Dr. Kumar Mahesh, IAS, is Secretary of the Department of Art, Culture and Languages, Government of NCT of Delhi, and Managing Director of the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board. He holds a PhD from the University of Delhi on dispute resolution mechanisms in fiscal federalism, comparing GST in India and Canada, an LL.M. in Corporate Law from the London School of Economics, an LL.B. from the University of Delhi, and an MBA in Public Service from the University of Birmingham. His honours include the First Chief Minister's Award for Excellence and Innovation in Governance and Public Service Delivery (2026), conferred by the Government of Delhi.
In his current role he oversees programmes aimed at preserving Delhi's cultural legacy while fostering contemporary artistic expression, focusing on strengthening cultural institutions, encouraging public engagement with the arts, and creating platforms for artists, writers, and performers. Known for his strategic approach to governance, he continues to contribute to the growth of Delhi's cultural ecosystem through effective policy execution and institutional leadership.