Dr. Rakesh Gupta assumed the role of President and Director of Public Health at the Strategic Institute for Public Health Education & Research (SIPHER) in Chandigarh in March 2020. He brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Director of Health Services and Director of the Chemical Examiner Lab in the Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Punjab. Dr. Gupta’s professional journey spans over 36 years as a PCMS Officer in the Punjab Government.

In addition to his leadership at SIPHER, Dr. Gupta holds the position of Visiting Faculty at the University Institute of Applied Health Sciences (UIAHS), Chandigarh University. He is also a certified Tobacco Cessation Specialist (CTCS) and serves as the Vice Chair of the Tobacco Control Section at the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases.

Dr. Gupta’s expertise shines through his more than a decade of active involvement in national Non-Communicable Diseases Programs, with a particular focus on programs related to Blindness Control and Tobacco Control.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Gupta has garnered several prestigious awards and achievements, including the WHO Award in 2015 on World No Tobacco Day. He represented the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) during a WHO Consultation on E-Cigarettes in Panama in 2016 and again for a WHO consultation on Plain Packaging in Geneva in 2017. His exemplary services in the medical profession were recognized with an award by SBI in 2019. Furthermore, Dr. Gupta received the Award of Honor from the Punjab Red Cross for his role as the Chief Coordinator for the Pan India Covid Tele-Helpline in 2021.

Dr. Gupta’s commitment to staying at the forefront of global health initiatives is evident through his participation in the WHO Global Workshop on Flavors and the Global Consultation on Novel and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2023. He was also invited to the 12th National Thai Conference on Substance Abuse at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, in the same year, highlighting his international engagement in public health endeavors.