Kerala Govt Transfers 12 IAS Officers; New Collectors Appointed in Five Districts, Arun K Vijayan Posted as Industries Director
The Government of Kerala has carried out a significant reshuffle in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), transferring 12 senior officers and appointing new District Collectors in five districts as part of a wider administrative restructuring exercise aimed at improving governance efficiency, coordination and departmental functioning across the state.
The transfer orders were issued shortly after the formation of the new state government and are being viewed as part of a broader effort to streamline administration and strengthen implementation across key sectors including industries, finance, taxation, social justice, water resources and district administration.
One of the most prominent changes in the reshuffle involves IAS officer Arun K Vijayan, who has been transferred from the post of District Collector of Kannur and appointed Director of the Industries Department. In addition to this responsibility, he will also hold the additional charge of Managing Director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), one of the state’s principal agencies responsible for industrial promotion and investment facilitation.
The government’s decision to place Arun K Vijayan in the Industries Department is being seen as an indication of Kerala’s renewed focus on industrial growth, investment attraction and infrastructure expansion through KSIDC.
Senior IAS officer Vishnuraj P has been appointed the new District Collector of Kannur, replacing Arun K Vijayan.
The reshuffle also brought major changes in district-level administration with new District Collectors appointed in five districts across Kerala.
In Kollam district, IAS officer Anie Jula Thomas has replaced Devidas N as District Collector. In Kozhikode, Madhavikutty M S has been appointed the new District Collector, replacing Snehil Kumar Singh.
In Palakkad district, IAS officer Sudhir K has taken charge as District Collector following the transfer of Madhavikutty M S. Similarly, Nizamudeen A has been appointed District Collector of Pathanamthitta, replacing Prem Krishnan S.
In Alappuzha district, IAS officer Shaji V Nair has replaced Inbasekar K as District Collector.
According to the government order, all transferred officers have been instructed to assume charge immediately without availing joining time, indicating the urgency attached to the administrative changes.
Apart from district-level postings, the Kerala government also reassigned several senior IAS officers to important departments.
IAS officer Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao has been appointed Secretary of the Finance (Resources) Department, while senior officer P B Nooh has been posted as Commissioner of the GST Department.
IAS officer Inbasekar K, who was earlier serving as District Collector of Alappuzha, has now been appointed Managing Director of the Kerala Water Authority.
Meanwhile, Snehil Kumar Singh has been assigned dual responsibilities as Director of Collegiate Education and Commissioner for Entrance Examinations.
Senior officer Arun S Nair has been appointed Director of the Social Justice Department and has also been given multiple additional charges in connected welfare sectors.
The transfer of Arun K Vijayan from Kannur comes amid continued public and political attention surrounding the district administration following the controversy linked to the farewell event of late ADM Naveen Babu, which had triggered administrative and political discussions in Kerala in recent months.
The latest reshuffle reflects the Kerala government’s attempt to bring fresh administrative leadership to important districts and departments while strengthening governance, industrial development, revenue administration and welfare delivery mechanisms across the state.
