1979 batch retired IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, Mr. K Kailashnathan, has once again got an extension of six months, as the Chief Principal Secretary to the Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel.
It is his 11th extension as the Chief PS to the CM. Mr. Kailashnathan is a stalwart in Indian Administrative Service and is a renowned bureaucrat.
He was considered to be PM Modi’s most trusted officer, when he was the CM of Gujarat. This is the reason why even after retirement in 2013, K Kailashnathan is still working in the CMO.
Notably, the conclusion of Mr. Kailashnathan’s current extension in Gujarat aligns with the commencement of a new government at the centre, with speculations indicating a potential return of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.
This prompts questions about whether KK is poised for a prominent role at the national level post the parliamentary elections in 2024, an anticipation only time will unravel.
He retired from the post of Additional Chief Secretary in Gujarat on May 31, 2013 after serving in Gujarat cadre for 33 years.
Then, he was appointed as the Chief Principal Secretary. This post was especially created for him. Even after 10 years, he is still handling this responsibily. He has till now remained a trusted official of 4 Chief Ministers – Narendra Modi, Anandiben Patel, Vijay Rupani and Bhupendra Patel.
A testament to his enduring influence, K Kailashnathan, along with Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, both hailing from the Gujarat cadre IAS, remain the two bureaucrats who Narendra Modi has steadfastly relied for over two decades.
Currently, Kailashnathan holds the responsibility of overseeing the politically sensitive and ambitious Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram redevelopment as the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram Memorial Trust (SGAMT).
After selection in civil services in 1979, K Kailashnathan started his career as Assistant Collector in 1981.
He was the collector of Surendra Nagar in 1985 and Surat in 1987. He was also the Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation from 1999 to 2001. He was also Chairman of the Steering Committee of the famous BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) Project.
He holds M.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Madras University and an MA degree in Economics from the University of Wales.
Despite being the most trusted man of PM Modi since decades, Mr. Kailashnathan has never ever been involved in any controversy.
Dr. PK Mishra, an IAS officer of 1972 batch and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, along with Mr. Kailashnathan are both Gujarat cadre IAS officers. Both of them have been trustworthy of PM Modi for more than 20 years. That’s why, it is being said that in future, Mr. Kailashnathan can take the place of Mr. Mishra in the PMO.
