Dr. Md. Shams Equbal is the Director of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL). He graduated in Urdu from Patna University in the year 1989 and did his MA in Urdu from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1991. He completed his M.Phil and Ph.D research in Urdu from Jawaharlal Nehru University in the year 1994 and 1999 respectively.

Dr. Equbal started his career as Research Assistant at National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language in February-November 1999 and thereafter he joined National Book Trust, India as Assistant Editor (Urdu) in the year 1999. He promoted to Editor (Urdu) in the year 2011 till joining Director, NCPUL. Additionally, as Officer In charge of the Information and Publicity Section of NBT, India during the period from 27th December 2007 to 20th January 2010, he handled all regional, national and international level publicity and promotional programmes of the Trust. He also served as Principal Publication Officer (PPO) at NCPUL, on deputation since 24th April 2015 to 23rd April 2018. During the tenure of PPO at NCPUL, he was looking after all academic, financial and administrative work also he was given additional charge of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO).

Information about Research / Literacy work :-
-> Project
a) Project Convener of Oxford English Urdu Dictionary, published by National Council for Promotion of Urdu language.

b) Project Coordinator of Jame Urdu Encyclopedia Tarikh (History), published by National Council for Promotion of Urdu language.

c) PM YUVA Urdu: As Project Head, he has handled and Mentored 4 titles which have been published by National Book Trust, India. Titles are :-

• Firang Ka Qaidi
• Mazharul Haq
• Baba Majnoo Shah Malang Madari
• Tahreek –e- Azadi: Haaye Kya Log The Jo Dam-e-Ajal Mein Aaye.

-> Three original titles & 25 translations have been published. Besides this more than 400 Urdu titles have been commissioned and copyedited which have been published.