New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed Mir Mohammed Ali, a 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Kerala cadre, as Director in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). His appointment, announced on Thursday, is under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) for a tenure of five years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) issued the official appointment order on August 7, directing the Government of Kerala to relieve the officer immediately to enable him to take up his new responsibilities in the Central Government.
Ali to Transition from State-Level Leadership to Central Policy Role
Prior to this appointment, Mir Mohammed Ali served as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) Limited. He also held additional charges as Managing Director of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Special Secretary in the Power Department of Kerala.
His recent appointment as CMD of KSEB was made official through Kerala State Government Order No. 99/2025/POWER, dated May 7, 2025, issued by the General Administration Department.
Track Record of Innovation and Impact in Kerala
Hailing originally from Chennai, Mir Mohammed Ali holds degrees in electronics engineering and political science, and secured an All India Rank of 59 in the prestigious Civil Services Examination.
During his administrative career, he has been credited with numerous innovative and people-centric initiatives:
As District Collector of Kannur (from August 2016):
- Spearheaded the plastic-disposable-free district campaign, making Kannur the first in India to achieve this milestone.
- Launched the “VR Kannur App”, allowing citizens to rate government offices and officials to boost transparency and accountability.
As Director of Survey & Land Records:
- Introduced the “Map My Home” project, using Google Maps and college student engagement to digitally map properties and enhance record transparency.
As Director of State Suchitwa Mission:
- Oversaw state-wide waste management efforts, contributing to Kerala’s environmental sustainability.
As head of the state’s anti-fake news division:
- Led the innovative “Satya J Project”, aimed at training students and educators to detect misinformation and promote media literacy.
Under his leadership, Kannur district won five Kerala e-Governance Awards in 2019, including Best e-Governed District – testament to his tech-savvy, forward-thinking administrative approach.
New Role Expected to Leverage Experience in Energy and Sustainability
In his new capacity at MNRE, Ali is expected to play a critical role in shaping India’s renewable energy strategies, particularly as the country intensifies its push toward green energy transition, solar expansion, and energy self-reliance.
Given his background in managing state electricity infrastructure, industrial development, and his focus on sustainable governance, his appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster MNRE’s leadership with practical field experience and innovative thinking.
