The central government has appointed Vijay Kumar, a 1992 IAS officer, as the new secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. An official memorandum from the Department for Personnel and Training states that Kumar will start as an officer for special duty (OSD) before assuming his official role on October 1, following the retirement of TK Ramacandran on September 30.
Currently, Kumar serves as the chairman of the Waterways Authority of India and has led efforts to expand and modernize India’s water transport network. At 54, he began his IAS career at 21 after passing the UPSC exam. Kumar has held various prominent positions in education, trade, tax, water supply, and transport, including special secretary in Delhi, principal secretary of Power in a Union Territory, and administrator of Lakshadweep.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics technology and an MBA in economic development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additionally, Kumar has a diploma in Business Finance from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts in India. His appointment marks a significant step in India’s maritime governance.
