Eminent oceanographer and scientist Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala has assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), succeeding Dr N Kalaiselvi, who had been holding the portfolio as an additional charge.
The position was earlier held on a full-time basis by Dr M Ravichandran. Tummala takes charge at a time when India is expanding its work in deep-ocean exploration, climate science and multi-hazard early warning systems.
Over Three Decades of Experience
Dr Tummala brings more than 30 years of experience in areas including remote sensing, satellite oceanography, coastal hazard mitigation and disaster management.
Before taking charge at MoES, he served as Head of the ICG/IOTWMS Secretariat under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in Perth, Australia. In this role, he worked with tsunami warning networks covering 28 Indian Ocean member states.
Former Director of INCOIS
Tummala also served as Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, from August 2020.
During his tenure, INCOIS advanced several ocean information services, including Potential Fishing Zone advisories, coral reef bleaching alerts and multi-hazard vulnerability mapping.
He was also associated with the establishment of India’s tsunami early warning system at INCOIS following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The system later contributed to INCOIS being recognised as a globally designated Tsunami Service Provider.
Recognised for Scientific Contributions
Tummala has received several recognitions for his work in ocean science and disaster management.
He was awarded the National Geoscience Award in 2010 by the Ministry of Mines for his contribution to establishing tsunami early warning facilities.
In 2008, he received the Indian National Geospatial Award from the Indian Society of Remote Sensing for his work in geospatial technologies for disaster mitigation and marine resource mapping.
He has also authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications in international journals and served as Vice-Chair of a UNESCO Intergovernmental Coordination Group.
Focus Areas as Earth Sciences Secretary
In his new role, Dr Tummala will oversee the Ministry’s work in ocean science, atmospheric and climate modelling, polar research, deep-ocean exploration and multi-hazard early warning systems.
The Ministry is also expected to focus on strengthening observational networks and scientific services that can support climate resilience, ocean health and the sustainable development of India’s Blue Economy.
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With his extensive experience in oceanography, disaster preparedness and geospatial science, Tummala’s appointment brings specialised scientific expertise to the Ministry of Earth Sciences at an important stage of India’s ocean and climate initiatives.