Dr.Santhosh Babu, IAS – Short Profile
Santhosh Babu is a Doctor turned Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of the 1995 batch, of the Tamil Nadu cadre. His abiding passion has been to transform governance to world-class levels, using modern management practices and tools that information technology provides. With about 150 plus transformational initiatives and innovations to his credit, including installing ERP driven “anytime, anywhere” Government offices, developing and implementing numerous web based application softwares, establishing India’s first Rural BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) units etc., most of which are firsts in India, he firmly believes that leadership embedded in integrity and selflessness, with the ability to innovate in the governance process only, can take India to prosperity. He is a prolific creator and editor of numerous magazines and websites. He has served the Government of Tamil Nadu in various capacities; as Sub- Collector, Additional Collector, Special Officer to Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Executive Director of Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Ltd, Joint Secretary – Department of Rural Development, District Collector of Sivaganga and Krishnagiri, Managing Director of ELCOT & Director e-Governance, Commissioner of Horticulture & Plantation Crops, Commissioner of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy and as Secretary to Government, Information Technology Department, and is currently serving as Chairman & Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation since 8th September 2014.
He has many recognitions to his credit, like the Best Collector Award of the Government of Tamil Nadu – 2008 for bringing back to school, about 10,000 “out of school children”(OOSC) through his www.baack2school.in initiative with a web based OOSC Tracking & Monitoring System, Dataquest Magazine e-Governance Champion Award, South India, 2008, being recognized by the Indian Express in its annual publication 2007 “The Pride of Tamil Nadu”, as one of the five persons who has made a difference in various aspects of public life, being recognized by the reputed Tamil Magazine Ananda Vikatan, as one of the “Top Ten People in Tamil Nadu” in 2008 etc. His best moment so far has been when, the former President of India Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, quoted his work under the heading “Committed Leadership” in his speech on the occasion of the 7th Civil Services Day, 21st April 2012, at New Delhi.
He is a Chevening Gurukul Scholar from the London School of Economics and Political Science. As an LKY Fellow he obtained an MPM Degree from the National University of Singapore and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.