Joshi joined as a demonstrator in Botany at Punjab University,
Lahore, in 1930 and worked there until 1931, when he became an assistant professor at
Banaras Hindu University, where he later became a professor. In 1945, he was selected as Professor of Botany at Government College,
Lahore, and Director of the Punjab University Botanical Laboratory,
Lahore. Joshi was forced to leave Lahore during the Partition of India in 1947, and he took over as Professor of Botany at the newly established Botanical Laboratory at Government College,
Hoshiarpur, in 1947 where he worked until 1951. He later became Principal of the Government Training College for Teachers at Jullundur. In 1953, Joshi was appointed as Director of Public Instruction (DPI) and Secretary to the Punjab Government, where he worked until 1957. In 1957, he was appointed Vice Chancellor of
Panjab University, Chandigarh, and he served until June 1965. From July 1965 – August 1967, he was Adviser for Education in the Planning Commission. He served as Vice-Chancellor of
Banaras Hindu University, in September 1967 – July 1969. ==Passing and legacy==