IAS V Vidyavathi appointed Secretary- Dept of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Ms. V Vidyavathi IAS (Karnataka 1991) presently Secretary- Ministry of Tourism has been appointed as Secretary- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Ms. V. Vidyavathi, IAS, is a senior civil servant widely respected for her extensive administrative experience, leadership across key Union ministries, and commitment to public welfare. A graduate in English Literature with a First Division, she joined the Indian Administrative Service with a strong academic foundation and an equally determined vision for impactful governance. Her career, often highlighted in Indian Bureaucracy Appointments and Latest Indian Bureaucracy News, reflects a remarkable ability to navigate complex departments with clarity and purpose.
In November 2025, Ms. Vidyavathi assumed charge as the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, specifically overseeing the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. In this pivotal role, she is responsible for steering national policies focused on inclusiveness, accessibility, and rights-based development for persons with disabilities. Her leadership emphasizes institutional strengthening, improved service delivery, and innovative welfare mechanisms to create a more equitable society.
Before this, she served as the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism from June 2023 to November 2025. Under her stewardship, India’s tourism sector saw renewed momentum after the pandemic years. She championed heritage tourism, digital tourism initiatives, and sustainable destination development while promoting India’s cultural richness globally. Her brief stint as OSD in the Ministry of Tourism earlier in 2023 helped streamline administrative reforms, enabling a smooth transition into the secretary role.
From May 2020 to April 2023, Ms. Vidyavathi served as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), one of the country’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Her tenure is remembered for extensive conservation initiatives, improved global collaboration, and enhanced technological integration in archaeology. This role showcased her ability to blend tradition with innovation, strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy.
Prior to this, she held significant positions across the Union government. As Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, she contributed to environmental governance and climate policy during 2018–2019. Her role in the Cabinet Secretariat from 2016 to 2018 further broadened her exposure to national-level policy coordination.
Earlier assignments in the Department of Personnel & Training and the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances allowed her to work on governance reforms, capacity building, and public grievance redressal—areas in which she established a reputation for efficiency and policy insight. These contributions remain relevant in discussions around Top Indian Bureaucracy News and Indian Bureaucracy Transfers.
Her time in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from 2004 to 2011, first as Deputy Secretary and later as Director, was a defining period that sharpened her administrative acumen. The PMO experience offered her a panoramic view of governance, national priorities, and inter-ministerial coordination.
Ms. Vidyavathi’s early-career postings in Karnataka, including roles in Panchayati Raj, Women & Child Development, Medical Education, and district administration, helped her build a strong grassroots understanding of public needs. As CEO of the Zila Panchayat in Bangalore (Urban) and earlier as an Assistant Commissioner in Shimoga, she worked to strengthen decentralized governance and community development.
Throughout her career, she has also taken up training, international advisory assignments, and foreign postings—broadening her global perspective and enriching her administrative approach.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is the central agency responsible for formulating policies, programmes, and legislative frameworks aimed at empowering persons with disabilities across India. The department ensures the effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, focusing on equality, accessibility, and inclusion. It oversees national institutions, rehabilitation services, skill development initiatives, and early intervention programmes.
DEPwD also promotes accessible infrastructure through schemes like the Accessible India Campaign and supports assistive technologies to enhance mobility and independence. By strengthening education, employment opportunities, and social security, the department works toward creating a society where persons with disabilities can participate fully and with dignity. Its initiatives are frequently highlighted in Indian Bureaucracy discussions and contribute significantly to Latest Indian Bureaucracy News related to social justice and inclusion.
Today, Ms. V. Vidyavathi stands as one of the prominent leaders in the Indian Bureaucracy, recognized for her integrity, depth of experience, and commitment to public-centered policy. Her leadership continues to inspire administrative excellence and forward-looking governance across sectors.
Indian Bureaucracy News Network wishes Ms. V Vidyavathi the very best.