In a significant administrative development aimed at boosting tourism in the state, Mr. Abhishek Ruhela, a dynamic Indian Administrative Service officer of the 2015 batch, has been appointed as the Additional Secretary – Tourism and Additional CEO of the Uttarakhand Tourism Board.
Mr. Abhishek Ruhela’s career is marked by a series of significant assignments across various sectors, including key roles in both central and state government. He served as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and held a range of crucial positions in Uttarakhand, such as City Magistrate and Commissioner of Nagar Nigam, Dehradun. His leadership experience also includes serving as Chief Development Officer of Tehri, Managing Director of both Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam and the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation, and Vice-Chairman of the District Level Development Authority Nainital. Most recently, he was the District Magistrate and District Collector of Uttarkashi.
Mr. Ruhela brings a wealth of experience in the tourism sector from his time as the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi and Managing Director of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam. His hands-on experience in supervising the Char Dham Yatra, adventure tourism, rural and sustainable tourism, and trekking activities in the Kumaon region will be a valuable asset in his new assignment.
Born on May 5, 1988, Mr. Ruhela hails from Sikar in Rajasthan and holds a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee. His journey into the Indian Administrative Service began with his selection in the Civil Services Examination 2014, where he secured an All-India Rank of 327. He joined the IAS at the age of 27 and has been part of the Uttarakhand cadre since.
With this new role, expectations are high that he will contribute significantly to positioning Uttarakhand as a leading sustainable tourism destination. His leadership is anticipated to accelerate projects related to infrastructure development, eco-tourism, pilgrimage circuits, and digital tourism marketing, aligning with the state’s long-term vision for tourism-led economic growth.
Known for his grounded approach and inspirational outlook—“Your background may define your start, but your determination defines your future”—Mr. Ruhela is widely regarded as one of the promising young bureaucrats in the country.
