Sh. Jagmohan is one of the topmost civil servants that the country has produced in the post-Independence period. He was the youngest Lt.-Governor of Delhi and the only one who held this prestigious office for two terms. He served with great distinction in a number of key assignments, including that of Chief Executive of Delhi Development Authority for over seven years and as Lt.-Governor of Goa, Daman and Diu. Shri Jagmohan has also the rare distinction of being nationally honoured twice by the President of India. He was awarded Padma Shri for "making significant contribution to the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Master Plan and for playing a pioneering role in planning and implementation of projects". He was also awarded Padma Bhushan for his "exceptionally meritorious services to the country". Shri Jagmohan was also given a cultural award by the Australian Government in 1975. In the mid-sixties, he travelled around the world on a fellowship granted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. He also attended two United Nations Conferences on 'Human Settlements' in Tehran and on 'Habitat' in Vancouver (Canada). Shri Jagmohan's published works include over 50 articles in leading newspapers and journals and four books: Rebuilding Shahjahanabad: The Walled City of Delhi; Island of Truth; The Challenge of Our Cities and My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir. Shri Jagmohan, held the office of the Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, twice. He also formulated and carried out the historic reform of 'Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine'.

          Shri Jagmohan was nominated to the Upper House of Parliament(Rajya Sabha) by the President of India, where he served with distinction for about six years. In April-May 1996, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the prestigious New Delhi Constituency with a massive majority. In March 1998, he was elected for the second time from the same Constituency and was inducted into the Union Cabinet. He held the portfolios of Communications and Urban Development. In the September 1999 General Elections, he was elected the third time from the New Delhi Constituency. He was appointed a second time as a Cabinet Minister and held the portfolios of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Tourism and Culture.