Introduction
M. Hari Narayanan IAS, born on 26 October 1985 in Tamil Nadu, is a distinguished 2011-batch officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre. Over the years, he has served in critical administrative positions across urban, rural, and central levels: from municipal governance and land administration to central roles in the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation. Despite a promising career, he faced a high-profile contempt of court conviction during his tenure with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. This blog post dives deep into his life, career trajectory, official assignments, legal challenges, and more.
Early Life & Education
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Date of Birth: 26 October 1985
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Hometown / Domicile: Tamil Nadu (IPSDetails.com)
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Education: Completed B.Arch in Architecture from Anna University, Chennai (IPSDetails.com)
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UPSC Entry: Cleared the 2010 UPSC Civil Services Examination at the age of 26, securing an excellent All India Rank 27 (IPSDetails.com)
Early Administrative Career
After joining the IAS in the 2011 batch, Andhra Pradesh cadre, Hari Narayanan served in several key roles across districts and departments:
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Assistant Collector, Khammam
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Sub-Collector in Nizamabad & Vikarabad
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Project Officer, ITDA, Paderu
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Municipal Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC)
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Executive Director, Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation
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Special Commissioner, Office of Chief Commissioner of Land Administration
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Special Secretary to Government, Panchayat Raj & Rural Development
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Collector & District Magistrate — Chittoor & Nellore districts (IPSDetails.com)
Rise to Prominence & Central Appointment
He subsequently held senior positions like:
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Inspector General, Stamps & Registrations
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Director, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Government of India — his current central deputation role, appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme (IPSDetails.com, Deccan Chronicle, Witness In The Corridors)
This central assignment reflects recognition of his administrative capabilities beyond the state apparatus.
News & Recent Updates
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2025: Transferred on central deputation as Director, Dept. of Drinking Water & Sanitation, GoI for a five-year term (Deccan Chronicle, Witness In The Corridors)
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2020: Served as Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) while also functioning as Special Commissioner, Office of Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (Elets eGov)
These roles highlight his versatility—managing public infrastructure, mineral development, and rural administration.
Controversy: Contempt of Court Case
During his tenure as Municipal Commissioner of GVMC, Hari Narayanan became entangled in a legal dispute:
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A contempt petition was filed after GVMC removed street vendors’ shops without issuing the mandatory 30-day notice, as prescribed under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act.
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In May 2022, the Andhra Pradesh High Court convicted him, sentencing him to 3 months simple imprisonment and imposing a ₹2,000 fine. However, the implementation was stayed for six months to allow for appeal (The New Indian Express, ETGovernment.com)
This case remains a notable legal challenge in his career, emphasizing the importance of procedural compliance in governance.
Administrative Style & Strengths
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Architectural & Urban Expertise: Background in architecture aids urban planning and civic administration.
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Multifaceted Leadership: Experience spans urban governance, land administration, rural development, and infrastructure.
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Central-Level Exposure: Now part of national governance through the Drinking Water & Sanitation Department.
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Public Accountability: The contempt case, while controversial, underscores the need for accountability and rule of law in administrative action.
Interesting Facts
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Became an IAS officer at just 26 years old, a testament to his academic and professional ambition (IPSDetails.com)
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Educational foundation in Architecture offers him a unique perspective among civil servants.
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Has held leadership roles in industry (APMDC), municipal governance (GVMC), and now national-level sanitation and water services.
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His court conviction stands out—as few IAS officers face judicial sentencing—though the stay indicates due process is ongoing.
Top FAQs – M. Hari Narayanan IAS
Q1: What is the educational background of M. Hari Narayanan?
A: He graduated with a B.Arch from Anna University, Chennai (IPSDetails.com)
Q2: When did he join the IAS and what was his UPSC rank?
A: He joined the IAS in the 2011 batch, Andhra Pradesh cadre. He cleared UPSC CSE 2010 with AIR 27 (IPSDetails.com)
Q3: What key positions has he held?
A: He served in roles such as Municipal Commissioner (GVMC), Collector of Chittoor & Nellore, Special Secretary (PR & RD), IG—Stamps & Registrations, VC & MD—APMDC, and now Director, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, GoI (IPSDetails.com, Deccan Chronicle, Witness In The Corridors)
Q4: What was the contempt of court controversy?
A: As GVMC Commissioner, he was convicted in May 2022 by the AP High Court for contempt—removal of vendors' shops without a 30-day notice. He received a 3-month sentence and ₹2,000 fine; implementation was stayed pending appeal (The New Indian Express, ETGovernment.com)
Q5: Is he currently serving in his cadre or on deputation?
A: He is currently on central deputation, serving as Director, Drinking Water & Sanitation, Government of India for a five-year term (Deccan Chronicle, Witness In The Corridors)
Conclusion
M. Hari Narayanan IAS represents a blend of urban planning roots and administrative acumen. From his architectural education to leadership in municipal governance, infrastructure development, and central water sanitation, he has demonstrated a dynamic career trajectory. The contempt case remains a significant episode, serving as a reminder of the legal responsibilities that civil servants bear. As he contributes to national sanitation initiatives, his journey continues to evolve—marked by both achievements and lessons in governance.
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