The Government of Tamil Nadu has appointed Ms. J. Innocent Divya, IAS, as the new Commissioner of Tourism, with additional charge as Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), as part of a major administrative reshuffle involving senior IAS officers across key departments.
The reshuffle, announced on January 14, 2026, covers important portfolios including tourism, technical education, health and urban development. These changes are aimed at strengthening departmental leadership, improving inter-departmental coordination and ensuring more effective governance and service delivery across the State.
With this appointment, J. Innocent Divya moves from her earlier role as Commissioner of Technical Education to take charge of Tamil Nadu’s tourism administration at a crucial phase, as the State focuses on revitalising tourism growth, enhancing visitor experience and promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
A 2009-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, J. Innocent Divya is widely recognised for her people-centric and environmentally sensitive approach to administration. She is a graduate in Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) and has built a reputation as a dynamic administrator through a range of challenging assignments.
One of the most notable phases of her career was her tenure as District Collector of the Nilgiris, a UNESCO-declared biosphere reserve with a fragile ecology and significant indigenous tribal population. During her time in the Nilgiris, she placed strong emphasis on environmental protection, introducing strict measures such as plastic bans, improved solid waste management systems and the protection of critical wildlife corridors, including the Segur Valley Elephant Corridor. Simultaneously, she worked to uplift tribal communities by improving access to basic amenities, road connectivity, housing, electricity, nutrition and education in remote habitations.
Earlier in her career, she held several important administrative positions, including assignments in the Chief Minister’s Special Cell, the Chennai Corporation, and as Deputy Secretary in the Food and Consumer Protection Department. She also served as Revenue Divisional Officer and District Revenue Officer, gaining extensive experience in grassroots administration and public service delivery.
Following her tenure in the Nilgiris, J. Innocent Divya was appointed Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC). In this role, she played a key part in aligning skill development programmes with industry requirements, bridging skill gaps among youth and enhancing employability across the State. She was also actively involved in flagship initiatives such as “Naan Mudhalvan”, aimed at equipping young people with industry-relevant skills and employment opportunities in the post-pandemic period.
Her contributions have been recognised through several honours, including the State Green Award for her work in environmental governance, as well as accolades for initiatives supporting differently-abled persons and inclusive district administration. Her leadership style consistently reflects a balance between development, sustainability and social equity.
As Commissioner of Tourism and MD of TTDC, J. Innocent Divya is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of Tamil Nadu’s tourism journey. Her diverse administrative experience, strong grounding in sustainability and proven focus on people-oriented governance are likely to bring renewed momentum to tourism policy, infrastructure development, destination promotion and visitor experience across the State.
With great enthusiasm, the tourism fraternity welcomes Tmt. J. Innocent Divya, IAS, and looks forward to a new chapter of growth, innovation and responsible tourism under her leadership in Tamil Nadu.
