Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has appointed Anurag Mishra (IFS:1993:TN) as the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). The appointment was notified through a Government Order issued by the Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department on July 17, 2026.
While Mishra’s appointment fills the existing vacancy in the Board, the recent appointment of Dr P. Alarmelmangai (IAS:2019:TN) as Member Secretary has also attracted attention over the eligibility criteria prescribed under the Appointment of Chairman and Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Rules, 2019.
Anurag Mishra Appointed TNPCB Chairman
According to the government order, Anurag Mishra (IFS:1993:TN) has been appointed as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board against the existing vacancy.
He currently serves as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Special Secretary (Environment, Climate Change) in the Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat.
The appointment has been made under the provisions of the Appointment of Chairman and Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Rules, 2019.
A Distinguished Career in Forest and Climate Governance
A senior Indian Forest Service officer of the 1993 Tamil Nadu cadre, Anurag Mishra has held several important positions in forest conservation, environmental governance and climate policy.
An engineering graduate in Metallurgy from IIT Roorkee (1984–88 batch), Mishra has served in key assignments including:
- Deputy Director, Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun (2006–2009)
- District Forest Officer (DFO) and Conservator of Forests in ecologically significant regions, including Ooty
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Special Secretary (Environment & Climate Change), Tamil Nadu
He has also played a leading role in state-level biodiversity conservation and climate initiatives, including the Tamil Nadu Climate Summit. Owing to his seniority, he also serves as a nominee on the Board of Directors of Seshasayee Paper and Boards Limited.
Member Secretary Appointment Draws Attention
Alongside the appointment of the new Chairman, the appointment of Dr P. Alarmelmangai (IAS:2019:TN) as Member Secretary of TNPCB has generated discussion regarding the eligibility requirements laid down in the 2019 Rules.
The Rules prescribe that the Member Secretary should possess:
- A postgraduate degree in environmental engineering, technology or allied sciences; and
- Around 25 years of field experience in environmental protection and enforcement of environmental legislation.
However, according to the Executive Record Sheet available on the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) portal, Dr Alarmelmangai, a 2019-batch IAS, holds an MBBS degree.
The government order announcing her appointment does not specify whether any exemption or special provision has been invoked with respect to the eligibility criteria prescribed under the 2019 Rules.
The development has therefore drawn attention to the statutory provisions governing appointments to one of Tamil Nadu’s key environmental regulatory bodies.
