IAS Officer Anu Kumari Takes Charge as Director of Kerala Tourism

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 6 November 2026

The Government of Kerala has appointed Anu Kumari, IAS, as the new Director of Tourism as part of a major administrative reshuffles involving 35 senior IAS officers. The order, issued on November 2, 2026, brings changes across several important departments, including home, finance, health, power and tourism. The appointment places Anu in charge of a key department responsible for promoting and developing the state's tourism sector.

Before her new posting, Anu served as Special Commissioner of the Kerala State Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department. She was transferred to the position in September 2026 after serving as the District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram. Her appointment as Director of Tourism marks another administrative responsibility in her career in the Kerala government.

Anju K.S, another IAS officer has taken over as the Thiruvananthapuram District Collector from Anu in the September administrative reshuffle. Anu then became Special Commissioner of GST and was then allotted to her current position in the tourism department.

Key Highlights:

• Anu, a 2018-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Director of Kerala Tourism
• Her appointment is part of a major administrative reshuffle involving 35 senior IAS officers across key government departments
• Anu previously served as Special Commissioner of GST and District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram

An order issued by Kerala Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha has issued the reshuffle for November. In administrative changes, several senior bureaucrats were moved to other departments. Other key postings include K.R. Jyothilal served as Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Vigilance) and Minhaj Alam was posted to the Finance Department. A.P.M Mohammed Hanish took the additional portfolios of Additional Chief Secretary for Health and Family Welfare.

The tourism department is an important department in positioning Kerala as a tourist destination and coordinating the tourism-related activities across the state. Kerala is famous for its backwaters, hill stations, beaches, wildlife destinations, traditional arts and cultural festivals. This forms part of the State's tourism industry for its citizens and overseas visitors.

The department also seeks to encourage tourism at travel destinations, develop tourism infrastructure and foster activities that bring tourists close to the natural and cultural values of the state. It carries out coordinating actions with the tourism operators, the local administrations and other administrative structures.

Anu's appointment comes as part of the government's broader effort to make administrative changes in various key sectors. Being appointed Director of Tourism, she will serve as a leader in the department that promotes the state's tourism-related activities and initiatives.

This is the latest in a string of administrative reshuffles by the Kerala government in November 2026, affecting senior officials from various departments.