A. Jayathilak
A. Jayathilak | |
|---|---|
| Chief Secretary of Kerala | |
| Assumed office 1 May 2025 | |
| Governor | Rajendra Arlekar |
| Chief Minister | Pinarayi Vijayan |
| Preceded by | Sarada Muraleedharan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 16, 1966[1] |
| Occupation | Civil servant |
A. Jayathilak (born 16 June 1966) is an Indian civil servant and a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (Kerala cadre).[1] He has served as the Chief Secretary of the Government of Kerala since May 2025, as the state's 50th chief secretary.[2][3]
Early life and education
Jayathilak studied medicine at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and graduated in 1990.[4]
Career
Jayathilak joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1991.[1] He began his field postings as Sub-Collector of Mananthavady and later served as District Collector of Kollam and Kozhikode.[4][5]
He served as managing director of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and was associated with Kerala's tourism branding efforts during the period when officials such as Amitabh Kant and V. Venu were also involved in the state's tourism promotion.[4] He later served on deputation in Chhattisgarh, where he was the first managing director of the Chhattisgarh tourism board.[4][6]
Central government and statutory bodies
Jayathilak has served as chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).[7][8][9]
He was also the chairman of the Spices Board and as chair of the International Pepper Community during India's chair year.[10]
Chief Secretary of Kerala
On 23 April 2025 the Kerala cabinet approved Jayathilak's appointment as chief secretary, following the impending retirement of incumbent Sarada Muraleedharan on 30 April 2025.[2][5] He assumed office on 1 May 2025.[3] Jayathilak also serves ex officio as the chief executive officer of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).[11]
Controversies
In 2025, shortly before taking charge as Chief Secretary of Kerala, A. Jayathilak was named in a complaint alleging irregularities in the utilisation of Central funds under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). The complaint was received by the Central Vigilance Commission and forwarded to the Government of Kerala.[12][13][14]
References
- ^ a b c "IAS Civil List Online (published as on 13.05.2025) – Indian Administrative Service (Kerala cadre)" (PDF). General Administration Department, Government of Kerala. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Jayathilak to be new Kerala Chief Secretary". ThePrint. PTI. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "A Jayathilak takes over as Chief Secretary after Sarada Muraleedharan retires". India Today Malayalam. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Jayathilak to be Kerala's 50th Chief Secretary". The New Indian Express. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "After Sarada Muralidharan, A Jayathilak to be the next Chief Secretary of Kerala". The News Minute. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Dr A Jayathilak named next Chief Secretary of Kerala". Onmanorama. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Push for Aquaculture as India targets marine products exports worth $5.6 bn in 2016-17". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "The worst period for the fish sector is over, says A. Jayathilak". Business Today. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Indian Tilapia can be the country's new IT industry, says MPEDA chairman A Jayathilak". Forbes India. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "India set to host global pepper convention on November 22". The Economic Times. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "SEC". Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ Service, Express News (2025-04-29). "Days before taking over as Kerala Chief Secretary, Jayathilak faces probe over Central funds bungling". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ^ Service, Express News (2025-07-29). "Suspended IAS officer in Kerala raises fresh allegations against Chief Secretary Jayathilak". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ^ Joseph, Jose K. (2025-09-11). "N Prasanth accuses chief secretary Jayathilak of procedural violations, misuse of power". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-02-01.