S.V. Ranganath, is currently the Vice Chairman, Karnataka State Higher Education Council and a Member of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission’s technical committee. A former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, he retired as Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.

As a Civil Servant, he worked in various capacities both in Government of India and Government of Karnataka. Previously, Ranganath was the also the Chairman, Indian Coffee Board and Resident Director, Indian Investment Centre, Abu Dhabi. He also served as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister of Karnataka, Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser in the Department of Space and also Member [Finance] to the Space Commission, Atomic Energy Commission and Earth Commission.

Post retirement from 2014-2017, Ranganath was the non-executive Chairperson of IFCI.