Educated at the Panjab University, he was a Visiting fellow at Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford University (UK) during 1969-70. After topping the list in M.A. (English) he served as Lecturer in Panjab University (1957-59). As a member of the Indian Administrative Service, borne on the Panjab cadre, he held various responsible positions under the State and Central Governments (1959-1994).

Following the Sino-Indian conflict he was inducted into the Special Services Bureau (under the Central Intelligence Bureau), underwent training with the elite SAS of UK, and served in the Western Himalayan Sector. Post Operation Blue Star he was appointed Home Secretary when Panjab was facing grave disturbances; organized peaceful elections to the State Assembly in Sept 1985.

With the Government of India he worked as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (1977-82); Additional Secretary Defence, Secretary Defence Production and Defence Secretary (1985-93).  Consequent to the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai he was appointed Union Home Secretary (1993-94). 

Recalled from retirement to serve as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister (1997-98.

Post retirement: served as Director of the India International Centre, New Delhi (1995-97; 1998-2003).  Was Member of the first National Security Advisory Board (1998-2001); Chairman, National Task Force on Internal Security (2000); Chairman, Review of Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (1999-2001); Chairman, Committee on Review of Military Histories (2001-02); Member, CSCAP National Committee (2001-05); Founder Co-Chairman, India-European Union Round Table (2001-08); Chairman, Public Services Committee, National Board of Quality Promotion, Quality Council of India (2006-08); President, Indian Mountaineering Foundation (1999-2006) and Chairman, Sarvodaya International Trust, Delhi Chapter (2000-08).

Served as Govt. of India’s Special Representative for carrying out the J&K Dialogue (2003-08).

As an international civil servant he served as Consultant to W.H.O., Geneva (1982-84).

Life Member: United Service Institute, New Delhi; Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. Hony Life Member of International House of Japan, Tokyo. Life Trustee: India International Centre, New Delhi and The Tribune Trust, Chandigarh. 

Has been writing and lecturing on governance and security issues and has edited over a dozen books.

 Awarded PADMA VIBHUSHAN in 2007.

 Awarded Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by Panjab University, Chandigarh, in 2011.

Mr Vohra was sworn-in as 12th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on June 25, 2008.