Naresh Chandra (b. 1934) is an Indian Civil Servant who has served as the Cabinet Secretary (1990-92), and the Indian Ambassador to the US (1996-2001). He was awarded India's second highest civil awards, the Padma Vibhushan, for his service, in 2007.

Born in Allahabad on August 1, 1934. He was educated at Allahabad and obtained M.Sc. (Maths) degree from the Allahabad University. He was a lecturer in the Allahabad University for a short period.

Naresh Chandra joined the Indian Administrative Service in May, 1956 and till 1964 served in different capacities in various districts of Rajasthan.

Ambassador Chandra's long official association with the United States spans more than three decades, beginning with his first visit to this country in 1963-64. He has been the Indian Co-chairman of the US-India Technology Group, and Member of the Indo-US Economic Sub-Commission, which lent him valuable insight into the broad range of Indo-US relations. Following the economic liberalisation program in India, he led the first official delegation to the US in 1992 to promote US investments in India. He has been deeply involved in several important conferences organised subsequently in the US by business development groups.