Shri Ravi Vira Gupta joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1962. During his tenure he served in key positions at various levels in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and in the Government of India. He handled a number of challenging assignments and was closely associated with various aspects relating to cooperatives and agriculture. He was appointed as Registrar of Cooperatives as well as the Managing Director of National Cooperative Development Corporation.

From 1991-1998 he was closely associated with economic reforms at the level of Additional Secretary and Secretary, GOI in the ministries of Fertilizer, Food and Finance. He was also Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for three years.