Amit Sharma IAS — Digitizing India, Empowering Citizens

Intro:
“Leadership is not a title; it’s the responsibility to create opportunities not just for yourself, but for everyone who walks with you. Welcome to Believe in Future – Amazing Mentor, Global Leadership Series.
Hello and welcome! I’m Gaurav Garg, and today’s episode features a leader who truly believes in the future. Our guest is Amit Sharma, IAS – a 2012-batch AGMUT officer now spearheading digital transformation and governance in Mizoram, and recently appointed Director of Census Operations for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Known for his “pragmatic leadership and technological vision”, Amit has driven major reforms from the mountains of Ladakh to the valleys of Mizoram, always keeping citizens at the center.
Amit, welcome to Believe in Future! It’s an honor to have you.


Questions:
Origin/Defining Moment (Reflective tone)
Q1 Amit, let’s start at the beginning. Growing up, did you dream of a corporate career or civil service? What made you choose this path over other options?
Q2 Was there a particular turning point or experience that confirmed this for you?
Q3 Your time in J&K was quite formative, then.
Q4 Can you share one story from those early days – a “defining moment” story, the lesson it taught you, and a very human moment you remember?

2️ Administrative Reforms & Digital Governance (Upbeat, confident tone)
Q5 Moving on, you’ve held several key roles in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Mizoram. Each region has unique challenges. Can you tell us about your experience driving administrative reforms and digital projects across these diverse places?
Q6 The contrast is incredible: from land records to fiber-optics. Any memorable anecdotes from those projects?

3️ Sustainability & Eco-Policy (Inspiring, hopeful tone)
Q7 You’ve also been at the helm of sustainability and environmental initiatives. In Ladakh and J&K, you balanced development with ecology. How did you approach that?
Q8 What about in J&K with forests and wildlife?
Q9 Do you have a specific story that illustrates that human-nature connection?

4️ Controversy & Clarity (Thoughtful, passionate tone)
Q10 The theme here is “bureaucratic inertia vs innovation.” Critics often say government is slow or resistant to change. As someone known for innovation, how do you respond to that tension?
Q11 In your view, where does the real resistance come from, and how can bureaucrats stay inventive?

5️ Advice & Mentorship (Encouraging, genuine tone)
Q12 You’ve mentored many colleagues and aspirants. What’s the single most important piece of advice you’d give to young leaders today?
Q13 Any lessons from mentors or experiences that stick with you?
Q14 Finally in this segment, please share a brief story of mentorship or learning, the lesson you got, and a human moment from that.

6 Vision for the Future (Visionary, hopeful tone)
Q15 Amit Ji, as we look ahead, how do you see Digital India and inclusive development evolving?
Q16 And your personal vision as a public servant?
Q17 Before we close, tell us one story from today’s journey – a glimpse of hope or aspiration for India’s future, and the lesson and human inspiration from it.


Outro:
Amit Ji, thank you for sharing these inspiring stories, lessons, and moments.
And thank you to our listeners for tuning in. Amit, as we wrap up, I have a final question I ask all our guests: “What does 'believe in the future' mean to you?”
Beautifully said. On that note – that’s all for today’s conversation. I’m Gaurav Garg, thanking Amit Sharma for joining us, and thanking you for listening. Keep learning, keep leading, and keep believing in the future. Until next time!