The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is set for a significant leadership transition as Vijay Kumar (IAS: 1992: AGMUT) formally assumes charge on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, as the new Secretary. The move follows the superannuation of incumbent Secretary T K Ramachandran (IAS: 1991: TN), who concludes his tenure on September 30.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had earlier approved the change on August 22, 2025, appointing Kumar as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry to facilitate a smooth transition. His elevation reflects a deliberate focus on ensuring continuity and domain-driven leadership in a sector critical to India’s economic growth.
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Kumar, a seasoned officer from the AGMUT cadre, carries extensive experience in maritime and inland water infrastructure. Before his OSD assignment, he served as Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal body responsible for the development and regulation of the nation’s inland waterways network.
His appointment underscores the government’s strategy of leveraging deep institutional expertise to advance flagship initiatives. With the Sagarmala programme and inland waterways utilisation high on the national agenda, Kumar’s background at IWAI positions him strongly to lead the Ministry into its next phase of growth and transformation.
