Dr. S.Y. Quraishi joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1971 and after holding several strategic and key positions, rose to become the 17^th Chief Election Commissioner of India, the world’s largest democracy. He figured in The Indian Express list of 100 Most Powerful Indians of 2011 and again in 2012. He also figured in India Today's  Power List of 100 most powerful Indians, 2012. 

As the Election Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner of India (2006-2012), he introduced a number of innovativeelectoralreforms, established an Expenditure Control Division and a Voter Education Division in the Commission. By this he controlled money power elections and brought about a participation revolution among voters. He also founded the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management to professionalize election management and share it with the emerging democracies of the world. Over 75 countries have received training in this institute within five years.

As a Consultant to UNICEF, he developed an approach and strategy paper for the ‘Draft National Plan on Youth in the Service of Children’ that extensively covered gender issues. He was Chairman of the Committee to draft 'SAARC Youth Charter’ which later was endorsed as "SAARC Resolution on Youth" in the SAARC Summit (1995). He was a key Member of the Project Advisory Board forthe UNDCP-ILO Project- "Developing Community Drug Rehabilitation and Workplace Prevention Programmes in India" under the Ministry of Welfare, Govt. of India. Dr. Quraishi introduced a new strategy - YUVA, Youth United for Voter Awareness that created participation revolution in Indian Elections.

Special contribution to the policy and program development in the health sector, women and child development sector includes;

1. His book ‘Social Marketing for Social Change’ has broken new ground in the field of development communication.
2. Two path-breaking papers namely “Islam, Muslims and Family Planning in India”, and, “Islam & AIDS”.
3. The UNFPA nominated him as a Specialist and Resource Person for the International Conference on Islam and Family Planning at Ankara, 1995.
4. He also led an innovative educational program called ‘Universities Talk AIDS’ (UTA) in more than 10,000 colleges and 300 Universities of the country. Itwas adjudged as one of the best practices of the world. 

Awards and Honours:

He has received several prestigious awards in recognition of his contribution to civil society and human development issues. Some of these are:

Nehru Fellow - Award from Nehru Children's Museum, Calcutta as a part of 300 years of Calcutta celebrations (the only Civil Servant in a galaxy of international awardees for innovative and outstanding work in the field of child welfare). 

Secular India Harmony Award, 1988, given by the Vice-President of India for the United Children's Movement, New Delhi (for outstanding - contribution for human understanding). 

Silver Elephant - the highest National Award of Indian Scouts and Guides given by the President of India (1995), in recognition of service of most exceptional character to the movement.