Dr. Ravi Kota is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1993 batch from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. He has more than three decades of experience in public administration and has worked in both the state and Central Governments, as well as on an international assignment.
Ravi Kota is currently serving as the Chief Secretary of Assam. He took charge of the post on 1 April 2024, succeeding Paban Kumar Borthakur. The Government of Assam currently lists him as Chief Secretary, and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has also listed him among the Chief Secretaries of states.
His career has covered several important areas, particularly public finance, taxation, agriculture, urban development, internal security and economic policy. He has also represented India as Minister (Economic) at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., where he handled economic and financial matters involving India and the United States.
Ravi Kota IAS Profile
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr. Ravi Kota |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service |
| Batch | 1993 |
| Cadre | Assam-Meghalaya |
| Recruitment | Direct Recruit |
| Domicile | Andhra Pradesh |
| Date of Birth | 12 April 1966 |
| Current Posting | Chief Secretary, Government of Assam |
| Current Posting Since | 1 April 2024 |
| Pay Level | Level 17 |
| Education | Ph.D. in Agronomy |
| Years of Service | More than 33 years |
Education and Career of Ravi Kota IAS
Ravi Kota has a strong academic background in agriculture. His official service records list a Ph.D. in Agronomy as his educational qualification. He is also described in government and institutional records as a gold medallist in Ph.D. in Agronomy.
Ravi Kota joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1993 and was allotted the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. His career has included assignments at the district level, in the Assam Secretariat, in the Government of India and on foreign posting.
Over the years, he moved from field administration to senior policy positions, particularly in the area of public finance and economic administration.
Early Career and Assam Government
In the earlier part of his career, Ravi Kota worked in different administrative positions in Assam. His responsibilities covered areas such as food and agriculture, taxation, urban development and state administration.
One of his notable assignments was as Commissioner of Taxes, Assam. Government records from the period identify him in that position and show his involvement in the state’s taxation administration. He later took on senior responsibilities in the Finance Department of Assam.
He served as Principal Finance Secretary, Government of Assam, where he was involved in the state’s budget, revenue mobilisation, expenditure management and borrowing.
His work covered a period of major changes in India’s public finance system, including the transition after the Planning Commission, demonetisation and the move from VAT to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.
According to a professional profile published by the National Association of Counties in the United States, during his tenure in Assam’s Finance Department he worked on taxation, market borrowings, external development assistance, private investment and financial inclusion.
Ravi Kota moved to the Central Government and was appointed Joint Secretary, Fifteenth Finance Commission under the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
Minister (Economic), Embassy of India, Washington D.C.
Another major assignment in Ravi Kota’s career was his posting to the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C.
In 2020, the Central Government appointed him as Minister (Economic) at the Indian Embassy in Washington. At that time, he was serving as Joint Secretary with the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
Return to Assam
After completing his foreign assignment, Ravi Kota returned to Assam and was given senior responsibilities in the state government.
In September 2023, he was appointed Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Political Department. The department covers important areas such as internal security, prisons and passport-related matters.
He was also given responsibilities in the Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises Department and the Finance Department during the transition before he became Chief Secretary.
In January 2024, the Assam Government announced that Ravi Kota would become the next Chief Secretary of Assam. Ravi Kota assumed office on 1 April 2024.
Extension of Ravi Kota’s Tenure
Ravi Kota was originally scheduled to retire on 30 April 2026 after reaching the normal age of superannuation. However, the Government of India approved an extension of his service for six months. The Assam Government issued the related notification, extending his tenure as Chief Secretary from 1 May 2026 to 31 October 2026.
Career Timeline of Ravi Kota IAS
| Period | Position | Organisation / Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 – Present | Chief Secretary | Government of Assam |
| 2023 – March 2024 | Additional Chief Secretary | Government of Assam |
| Aug 2020 – Aug 2023 | Minister (Economic) | Embassy of India, Washington D.C. |
| Apr 2018 – Aug 2020 | Joint Secretary | Fifteenth Finance Commission, Ministry of Finance |
| Earlier | Principal Finance Secretary | Government of Assam |
| 2014 – 2017 | Commissioner of Taxes | Government of Assam |
| Earlier | Principal Secretary | Urban Development, Government of Assam |
| Earlier Central Deputation | Director / Joint Secretary | Government of India |
| Earlier | Principal Resident Commissioner | Assam Bhawan, New Delhi |
| Early Career | District and state-level assignments | Assam-Meghalaya cadre |
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