Sarada Muraleedharan
Sarada Muraleedharan | |
|---|---|
| Chief Secretary of Kerala | |
| In office 1 September 2024 – 30 April 2025 | |
| Preceded by | V. Venu |
| Succeeded by | A. Jayathilak |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 17, 1965 |
| Spouse | V. Venu |
| Occupation | Civil servant |
Sarada Muraleedharan [1] (born 17 April 1965) is a retired civil servant of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of Kerala cadre (1990 batch).[2] She served as the 49th Chief secretary of Kerala from 1 September 2024 to 30 April 2025.[3]
During her career, Muraleedharan held senior positions in the Government of Kerala and on central deputation, including serving as Executive Director of the Kudumbashree Mission (2006–2012), Chief Operating Officer of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Director General of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).[4][5][6]
Early life and education
Muraleedharan is from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.[7] She attended the Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram.[8]
Career
Muraleedharan joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1990 and was allotted the Kerala cadre.[2]
District administration
She served as District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram from 18 September 1998 to 18 October 2000.[9]
Kudumbashree Mission
Muraleedharan served as Executive Director of the Kudumbashree Mission from 12 June 2006 to 1 May 2012.[4]
State and central government roles
On central deputation, she served as Chief Operating Officer of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission under the Ministry of Rural Development, and later as Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, where she worked on the promotion of Gram Panchayat Development Plans.[5][10]
Director General, NIFT
In 2016, Muraleedharan was appointed Director General of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).[6]
Chief Secretary of Kerala (2024–2025)
In August 2024, the Kerala cabinet appointed Muraleedharan as Chief Secretary. She assumed office on 1 September 2024, succeeding the outgoing Chief Secretary, V. Venu (her spouse), who retired on 31 August 2024.[5][3]
Media coverage noted that while IAS couples had previously both served as Kerala chief secretaries at different times, this was the first instance in the state where the office passed directly from one spouse to the other.[7]
Muraleedharan retired on 30 April 2025 and was succeeded by A. Jayathilak.[3][10]
Public statements
In March 2025, Muraleedharan received attention after a social media post in which she discussed colourism and gendered stereotyping, following commentary comparing her performance as chief secretary to that of her predecessor and spouse. The post was discussed in Indian media about discrimination linked to skin colour.[11][12]
Personal life
Muraleedharan is married to V. Venu, a retired IAS officer who served as Chief Secretary of Kerala immediately before her.[7]
References
- ^ "Sharada Muraleedharan to take over as next chief secy". The Times of India. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "IAS Civil List (Kerala)" (PDF). General Administration Department (All India Services), Government of Kerala. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "Chief Secretaries of Kerala". General Administration Department, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Executive Director's Page". Kudumbashree (State Poverty Eradication Mission), Government of Kerala. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "Sarada Muraleedharan to be appointed new Chief Secretary of Kerala". The New Indian Express. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Make in India Fashion Summit: Aim is to develop great entrepreneurs, says Sarada Muraleedharan". India Today. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b c "Kerala's power couple share secret formula: 'Be each other's sounding boards'". The Indian Express. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Smt. Sarada G Muraleedharan". Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Former District Collectors". District Thiruvananthapuram, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Major revamp in Kerala bureaucracy as Chief Secretary, other top officials retire today". Onmanorama. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Sarada Muraleedharan: 'I Dig Black': Kerala Bureaucrat Calls Out Colourism, Comparison To Husband". NDTV. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Who is Sarada Muraleedharan? Kerala chief secretary confronts skin colour bias". Mint. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2026.