Secretary Tsering Dhondup Gyangser was born in Shimla. After completing his studies, he joined the Central Tibetan Administration in 1996 as a junior clerk and thereafter ascended to various positions till his latest appointment. During these periods, he has served in various departments and offices, such as the Department of Security, OOT Paris, Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Delhi and Tibetan Reception Center (Dharamshala).