Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant bureaucratic exercise, the Kerala Government has reshuffled several Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, redistributing responsibilities across important departments to enhance administrative efficiency. The latest appointments and additional charge assignments were notified through an order issued by the General Administration (AIS-A) Department on July 16, 2026.
As part of the changes, Puneet Kumar, currently serving as Resident Commissioner at Kerala House, New Delhi, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of overseeing matters relating to inter-state water issues under the Water Resources Department.
Minhaj Alam, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Vigilance Department, will now also supervise the Industries (Coir) Department. At the same time, he has been relieved of the additional portfolios relating to Sports & Youth Affairs, Zoos, Museums, Archaeology and Archives.
The government has designated Prasanth N, Special Secretary, to independently oversee the Sports & Youth Affairs, Zoos, Museums, Archaeology and Archives departments.
In another key decision, Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, has been assigned the additional charge of the Ayush Department, further expanding her administrative responsibilities.
Suhas S, Special Secretary in the Water Resources Department, will additionally function as Special Secretary, Housing Department, while also taking charge as Managing Director of the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC).
Meanwhile, Dr. Sriram V, Director of Agriculture, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of heading the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE) as its Managing Director.
The reshuffle also includes the transfer of Prem Krishnan S, who moves from the post of Registrar of Co-operative Societies to become Joint Secretary in the Water Resources Department. He will simultaneously hold additional charge as Managing Director of the Kerala Water Authority.
Inbasekar K, previously Managing Director of the Kerala Water Authority, has been appointed Director of the Cultural Affairs Department in a newly created ex-cadre position. Besides his new assignment, he will continue to shoulder additional responsibilities as Registrar of Co-operative Societies and Additional Project Director of the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA).
Additionally, Alex Varghese, Commissioner, Housing, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Mission Director, Resilient Kerala PforR Additional Financial Programme (Coastal Protection).
The latest administrative exercise reflects the state’s continued focus on strengthening governance by strategically repositioning senior bureaucrats across key departments.