New Delhi: The Central Government has approved the appointments of Kerala cadre IAS officer Kowsigan A (IAS:2009:KL) and Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer Sudheer Kumar Singh (IRTS:2011) as Directors in two key Union government departments under the Central Staffing Scheme.
According to separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Monday (July 20, 2026), both officers have been appointed for a period of five years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Kowsigan A Appointed Director in Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Kerala cadre IAS officer Kowsigan A (IAS:2009:KL) has been appointed as Director in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India.
The appointment has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of five years. He will assume his new responsibilities after being relieved by the Kerala Government.
Mr Kowsigan is presently serving as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, a position in which he has overseen the conduct of elections and electoral administration in the state.
An Officer with Veterinary and Administrative Expertise
A direct recruit of the 2009 IAS batch, Kowsigan belongs to the Kerala cadre, with Tamil Nadu as his home state.
His academic background is unique among civil servants. He holds:
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.)
- Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.)
Over nearly 17 years in public service, he has held multiple administrative assignments across Kerala. According to his executive service records, he has served in 11 postings across 10 different locations.
Before his present assignment as Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer, he was entrusted with important responsibilities in the state administration, including serving in the Ports Department, acting as Special Officer for Government Land Resumption, and functioning as the Nodal Officer to monitor land title cases related to Harrisons Malayalam Limited and other similar matters.
His combination of veterinary education and extensive administrative experience is expected to complement his new role in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Sudheer Kumar Singh Appointed Director in Department of Defence
In another appointment cleared by the DoPT, Sudheer Kumar Singh (IRTS:2011) has been appointed as Director in the Department of Defence, Government of India.
His name was recommended for central deputation by the Ministry of Railways, and the appointment has also been approved for a period of five years under the Central Staffing Scheme.
He will serve in New Delhi as Director in the Department of Defence.
Experienced Railway Officer with Diverse Credentials
Sudheer Kumar Singh belongs to the 2011 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) and has held several important operational assignments in the Indian Railways.
Before moving on central deputation, he served as:
- Deputy Chief Operations Manager (Goods) at the Northern Railway Headquarters.
- Station Director of Jammu Railway Station, where he handled critical operational and passenger management responsibilities.
His experience in logistics, transportation management and administration is expected to contribute significantly to his role in the Department of Defence.
Beyond Bureaucracy: An Ironman Athlete
Apart from his administrative career, Sudheer Kumar Singh is widely known for his achievements in endurance sports.
He successfully completed the Ironman 70.3 Goa, one of the world’s toughest endurance competitions, comprising:
- 1.9 km swimming
- 90 km cycling
- 21.1 km half marathon
His accomplishment earned recognition both within the civil services and the sporting community, highlighting his discipline, perseverance and physical endurance.
Appointments Under the Central Staffing Scheme
Both appointments have been approved under the Central Staffing Scheme, through which officers from the All India Services and various Central Civil Services are deputed to ministries and departments of the Government of India.
While Kowsigan A will contribute to policymaking and administration in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Sudheer Kumar Singh will join the Department of Defence, bringing his experience in operations and administration to the Union government.
