Born on 16th October, 1946, Mr. Baijal joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1969. He retired from the service in October, 2006 as Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. While in that Ministry, he anchored the designing and roll-out of the flagship programme of Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with federal grant equivalent of about US dollars 12 billion, for improvement of infrastructure and provision of basic services in urban areas of India.
In his long service career spanning over 37 years, Mr. Baijal held various important assignments like that of the Union Home Secretary, Chairman & Managing Director , Indian Airlines, Chief Executive Officer, Prasar Bharti Corporation( Broadcasting Corporation of India), Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority, Development Commissioner, Goa and Counselor in-charge of Indian Aid Programme in Nepal.
After his retirement from Government service, Mr. Baijal at present is working on part time basis as Sr. Advisor in the Infrastructure Development & Finance Company Ltd. (IDFC) and Chairman of IDFC Foundation. In addition, he is the Secretary General of Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), the industry association of Indian air carriers. He has also set-up his own consultancy firm - Urban Space Consultants Ltd. which provides advisory services in spatial planning and other issues concerning urban governance.
He is Independent Director on the Boards of ITC Limited, DLF Pramerica Life Insurance Company Limited, Minerals & Metals Trading Corporation of India Limited (MMTC) and International Travel House Limited.