Srivatsa Krishna Appointed as New Secretary of Tourism Ministry, India, ETTravelWorld

In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved several senior-level appointments, including the posting of Srivatsa Krishna, IAS (1994 batch, Karnataka cadre), as the new Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

He succeeds V Vidyavathi, IAS (1991 batch, Karnataka cadre), who has been appointed as Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

Srivatsa Krishna brings with him a strong academic and administrative background. He holds a postgraduate degree in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, an MBA from Harvard University, and a PhD in Management from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Over his career, he has served as Secretary, Commerce & Industry, Government of Karnataka, and has held key roles in Urban Administration, e-Governance, and development sectors, alongside experience with the World Bank Group.

He was part of the pioneering team that helped advance India’s e-governance initiatives and contributed to the development of Cyberabad as a technology hub. Krishna has also served as Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Coffee Board of India.

Notably, Krishna topped the 1994 UPSC Civil Services Examination with All India Rank 1, choosing public service over a potential career in music. He was also the first IAS officer to earn an MBA from Harvard University.

The appointment is part of a wider reshuffle approved by the ACC, marking leadership changes across multiple ministries aimed at strengthening governance and policy delivery at the national level.