Dr. V. Candavelou is a 1997-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the AGMUT cadre (covering Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories). He was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Goa in October 2024, becoming the first officer from his batch to hold this position in the state.
Education & Background
Dr. Candavelou holds a Ph.D. in Veterinary Science, an LL.B. from Delhi University, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Netherlands. He began his professional journey as a veterinary scientist before joining the IAS, blending technical and policy expertise with administrative roles.
Career and Appointments
- In his early bureaucratic career, he served in diverse administrative roles across Puducherry and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which included leading electoral awareness campaigns as Chief Electoral Officer and overseeing health, environmental, and development initiatives.
- Since mid-2022, he has held multiple key portfolios in Goa, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Finance Secretary, Secretary for Mines and Geology, Planning and Statistics, Ports, Forestry, and Public-Private Partnerships. He also chaired the Goa Staff Selection Commission and directed the state’s apex training institute (GIPARD).
- In October 2024, he was appointed Chief Secretary of Goa, succeeding his predecessor through a state cabinet and central clearance process.
Key Focus Areas & Contributions
Since assuming office, Dr. Candavelou has:
- Overseen fiscal planning, development strategy, and budget coordination for the state government.
- Applied a data-driven and systems-focused approach to infrastructure, environmental sustainability, tourism, and rural administration.
- Led efforts to strengthen staff recruitment, training, and institutional capacity through operational leadership at GIPARD and the Staff Selection Commission.
- Advocated integration of public health, livelihood, and climate-sensitive policymaking into administrative frameworks, leveraging his veterinary and governance expertise.
Summary
Dr. V. Candavelou is a multi-disciplinary administrator whose career bridges technical science, public policy, and governance. As Chief Secretary of Goa, he heads the state’s administrative leadership, steering fiscal stability, development planning, and institutional modernization. His unique background reflects a commitment to systemic reform, inclusive governance, and capacity-building at scale.