Dr. Jan E. Alam is a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) belonging to the Assam–Nagaland cadre. He has been serving as the Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland since 29 January 2021.
Education & Background
Dr. Alam holds an MBA from Aligarh Muslim University, a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in Management Studies from IIT Delhi. He entered the IAS with an All India Rank of 12 and was allotted the Nagaland cadre. His academic background is complemented by decades of administrative experience.
Career and Appointments
Field-Level Administration
Dr. Alam began his administrative career with postings in Nagaland, including as Sub-Divisional Officer in Phek and Mon districts and later as Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang. These assignments gave him valuable grassroots administrative experience.
State-Level Roles
He has served in several departments in the Government of Nagaland, including as Additional Secretary (Finance) and as Secretary of Industries, Commerce and Sericulture.
Central Government Roles
Between 2003 and 2020, Dr. Alam held senior roles in the central government. He worked in the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, served as Private Secretary to a Cabinet Minister, and later joined the Ministries of Human Resource Development and Minority Affairs. His responsibilities included oversight of national programs such as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, teacher education, and Haj pilgrimage management.
Return to Nagaland and Chief Secretary Appointment
Upon his return to Nagaland in 2020, Dr. Alam was appointed Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Development Commissioner. On 29 January 2021, he formally assumed office as Chief Secretary, becoming the administrative head of the state government.
Key Focus Areas & Contributions
- Service Delivery Improvement: He has urged departments to prioritize innovative solutions for better public service delivery and accountability, including upgrades to departmental websites and responsiveness to public needs.
- Agricultural and Livelihood Development: Under his leadership, key climate-resilient farming initiatives have been integrated into state-level planning, positively impacting thousands of rural households.
- Monsoon Preparedness: He has coordinated multi-departmental efforts for disaster preparedness, ensuring the supply of essentials and infrastructure readiness during the monsoon season.
- Regulatory Enforcement: Dr. Alam has overseen administrative actions to strengthen the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulations through systematic tracking and enforcement mechanisms.
Summary
Dr. Jan E. Alam brings a combination of academic distinction, central policy experience, and field-level administrative insight. As Chief Secretary of Nagaland, he has focused on transparent governance, inclusive development, service innovation, and effective implementation of state and central schemes.