Sarada Muraleedharan to retire on April 30; Dr. A Jayathilak likely to be next Chief Secretary

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan will retire on April 30. Dr. A. Jayathilak, Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, is likely to succeed her as the next Chief Secretary.

Among Kerala cadre IAS officers, Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development at the Centre, is the senior-most. However, it is understood that Manoj Joshi, who is from the 1989 batch, has no intention of returning from deputation. Joshi, a native of Rajasthan, had previously declined two opportunities to become Chief Secretary.

Dr. Jayathilak, Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Raju Narayanaswamy, Principal Secretary for Higher Education Ishita Roy, and Rachna Shah are other senior IAS officers in line for the position. Rachna Shah, who is currently serving as Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles at the Centre, is also unlikely to return. Ishita Roy, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, will retire on the 31st of this month. Since Raju Narayanaswamy does not hold the grade of Additional Chief Secretary, his chances are considered slim. This increases the likelihood of Dr. Jayathilak, from the 1991 batch, becoming the Chief Secretary. Dr. Jayathilak’s tenure is valid until June 2026.

Among other senior IAS officers, KSEB Chairman Biju Prabhakar will retire on April 30, and General Education Secretary Rani George will retire on May 31.