New Delhi (30.09.2025): The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is set for a key leadership transition, with Vijay Kumar (IAS: 1992: AGMUT) formally taking charge on Wednesday morning i.e. October 1, 2025 as the new Secretary.
The transition comes as the incumbent Secretary, T K Ramachandran (IAS: 1991: TN), receives the farewell and superannuates at the close of today, September 30.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had greenlit the shift with a proactive step, naming Kumar as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry on August 22, 2025. This OSD period was intended to ensure a seamless handover before he formally assumes the top bureaucratic post overseeing India’s expansive maritime and inland water infrastructure.
Kumar, a seasoned and one of the most competent bureaucrats from the AGMUT cadre, brings a strong domain-specific background to the crucial portfolio. Prior to his OSD stint, he served as the Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the apex agency responsible for developing and regulating the country’s vast network of inland waterways.
His elevation signals a clear emphasis on leveraging existing expertise within the government to steer key infrastructure ministries. With the Sagarmala programme and the push for greater utilisation of inland waterways remaining high on the government's agenda, Kumar's experience at IWAI will be critical in his new role as the administrative head of the Ministry.
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