Kamal Taori is a retired IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, known for his non-conformist approach to bureaucracy. His career spanned over three decades, during which he held several key positions, including Collector, Commissioner, and Secretary to the Government of India. Taori is especially recognized for his work in rural development and as the head of the Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), where he focused on sustainable rural entrepreneurship and the promotion of public-private-panchayat partnerships.

A strong advocate for traditional knowledge and decentralization, he often criticized conventional development models, favoring alternatives rooted in India's cultural and historical wisdom. Even after retirement, Taori has remained active in promoting self-reliance, urging society to reconnect with its roots and encouraging women’s participation in governance. He has written over 40 books, sharing insights from his wide-ranging experiences​.