Vijay Kumar assumes charge as shipping secretary; Ramachandran retires

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways witnessed a change of guar on October 1, 2025, as Vijay Kumar (IAS: 1992: AGMUT) formally took over as Secretary. He succeeds T.K. Ramachandran (IAS: 1991: TN), who superannuated on September 30 after completing his tenure.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had cleared Kumar’s appointment earlier on August 22, 2025, designating him as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry to facilitate a smooth transition.

Kumar, a senior bureaucrat with extensive maritime sector experience, most recently served as Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). His tenure at IWAI, where he oversaw the development and regulation of India’s inland waterways, is seen as a strong foundation for his new role.

His appointment underscores the government’s focus on domain expertise to steer critical infrastructure ministries. With Sagarmala projects and the expansion of inland water transport high on the national agenda, Kumar is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s maritime sector.