Indian Administrative Service · 1987 Batch
வெ. இறையன்பு இ.ஆ.ப
"A civil servant must be a servant of the people first — every file carries a human story, every decision shapes a life."
— Dr. V. Irai Anbu IAS
IAS · 1987 Batch · Tamil Nadu Cadre
Biography
A life built on service, shaped by literature, and defined by an unwavering commitment to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Born on 16 September 1963 in Kattur Village, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, V. Irai Anbu grew up in a modest, middle-class family that valued integrity and purposeful living. His father, Venkatachalam, was a businessman; his mother, Baby Saroja, a devoted homemaker who instilled in him the values that would define his life in public service.
From his earliest school days, Iraianbu harboured a deep drive to serve — not just his family, but his community, his state, and ultimately his nation. This calling led him to crack the Indian Administrative Service examination in 1987, securing the 15th rank nationally — the highest rank from Tamil Nadu that year.
Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he rose through every echelon of the civil services — from a young Assistant Collector in Nagapattinam to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, the highest administrative post in the state, a position he assumed on 7 May 2021.
Parallel to his administrative career, Iraianbu cultivated one of the most prolific literary identities of any serving IAS officer — authoring over 102 books in Tamil and English. More than 50 doctoral scholars have based their PhD research on his literary works alone.
"He is not merely an officer who writes — he is a writer who chose to serve through administration. Both paths led to the same destination: the upliftment of the common people."
— Tribute on his retirement, 2022Career
From Sub-Collector in South Arcot to Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu — a journey of steadfast dedication to public administration.
Secured All-India Rank 15 — the top rank from Tamil Nadu — and was allocated to the Tamil Nadu cadre.
Introduced teak and cashew plantations, pioneering agricultural diversification and long-term sustainability for farming communities.
Received widespread appreciation for his administrative approach; promoted to Associate Commissioner, Municipal Administration.
Founded Moonlight Schools for silk-loom child labourers, conducted the first UNICEF-funded child labour survey, and received the Best Collector Award (1998).
Built NGO-government networks for social development and strengthened urban governance across Tamil Nadu.
Led complete reconstruction of Mudaliarkuppam village after the 2004 tsunami — rebuilding homes, installing streetlights and drinking water for displaced families.
Secured ₹36.23 crore to rebuild Tamil Nadu's premier civil services training centre, modernising capacity for the next generation of officers.
Appointed to the highest administrative position in the state — completing a remarkable arc from Sub-Collector to the apex of Tamil Nadu's civil services.
Social Impact
Beyond files and policy — a record of transformative action that changed real lives across Tamil Nadu.
Established evening schools for silk-loom child labourers above 14 — enabling thousands to study without losing livelihoods. Graduates have gone on to post-graduation; nearly 30 secured government posts. A UNICEF-funded child labour survey followed, leading to active eradication raids.
After the 2004 tsunami devastated Mudaliarkuppam, Iraianbu led comprehensive reconstruction — every house rebuilt, streetlights and clean drinking water installed, families restored to dignity. The village was not merely repaired but built better.
As Sub-Collector in South Arcot, promoted teak and cashew plantations to diversify farmer income streams, reduce mono-crop vulnerability, and build long-term agricultural resilience across the region.
Secured ₹36.23 crore to completely overhaul Tamil Nadu's premier civil services training facility — equipping hundreds of civil servants annually with modern governance and leadership skills.
Donated ₹2 lakh to the Mylapore Adi Dravidar Welfare Hostel for marginalised students. Long-standing supporter of Adyar Cancer Hospital, contributing both financially and through awareness campaigns for patients and families.
As Joint Commissioner, pioneered structured NGO-government partnership frameworks enabling civil society to work alongside the state machinery — improving last-mile delivery for Tamil Nadu's most vulnerable communities.
Literary Works
With over 102 published titles in Tamil and English — novels, short stories, poetry, essays, motivational writing — Iraianbu is among the most prolific author-administrators in India's history.
Celebrated 3-part collection on intuition and wisdom beyond the five senses.
Best Novel Award, Thirupur Tamil Sangam (1998). Lives along the river banks.
Dina Thanthi Best Book 2017 — presented by PM Narendra Modi.
Best Book Award, Thirupur Tamil Sangam (2012).
The definitive IAS exam guide by someone who did it — widely read by UPSC aspirants.
Gripping fiction combining insider governance knowledge with dramatic storytelling.
Practical guide combining motivational insights with strategies for academic excellence.
An ode to the joy of reading — encouraging youth to develop a lifelong love of books.
…and 94 more titles across novels, poetry, essays, and administrative writing.
Browse All Books →Recognition
Outstanding performance in small savings collection as District Collector, Kanchipuram. State Government of Tamil Nadu.
Recognised as Best Novel by Thirupur Tamil Sangam for his celebrated river-bank narrative.
Received twice by State Bank of India for the best collection of essays — recognition of his intellectual range across two award cycles.
Won first place for his paper at the International Conference on Thirukkural, held in the United States of America.
Awarded by Thirupur Tamil Sangam for his inspirational motivational work.
Honoured for Ilakkiyathil Melanmai — presented personally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the highest honours in Tamil literary circles.
Tamil Nadu State Government Award for the Best Poetry Collection — recognising his poetic voice among the finest in contemporary Tamil literature.
More than 50 scholars across Tamil Nadu's universities have chosen his literary works as the subject of their doctoral research — an extraordinary academic legacy.
One of Tamil Nadu's finest motivational speakers — addresses to students, civil servants, and the public have inspired hundreds of thousands.
Education
Even at the apex of a demanding career, Dr. Irai Anbu never stopped learning — accumulating over half a dozen qualifications while serving the state.
Graduated as University Topper — earning a position as Agricultural Officer before the IAS called.
Master of Business Administration pursued while in active service — blending management science with public administration.
Deepened his command of English, enabling authorship in both Tamil and English with equal literary mastery.
Specialised knowledge that directly informed his child labour eradication work in Kanchipuram.
Additional postgraduate science qualification reflecting his broad intellectual curiosity beyond administration.
Earned his first doctorate — bringing academic rigour to both administrative thinking and literary scholarship.
Currently pursuing a second doctorate in Comparative Literature — continuing to push academic boundaries in retirement.
Speeches & Lectures
A sought-after speaker whose addresses have inspired thousands — from UPSC aspirants in rural colleges to international forums on governance and Tamil literature.
Visited government colleges — particularly those attended by first-generation learners — urging students from humble backgrounds to aim for the civil services with unwavering self-belief.
Delivered keynotes on the richness of Tamil classical literature, the responsibility of the educated to preserve language, and the deep connection between culture and governance.
Addressed policymakers, NGOs, and community leaders on eradicating child labour — drawing from his landmark Moonlight Schools initiative in Kanchipuram that changed hundreds of young lives.
Shared lessons from the 2004 tsunami reconstruction in Mudaliarkuppam — on compassionate administration, rebuilding community trust, and restoring dignity to displaced families.
Spoke on the discipline of authoring 102+ books while holding some of India's most demanding administrative roles — a message of relentless purpose, passion, and time mastery.
Lectured IAS probationers and training academies on integrity, citizen-centric governance, and the true spirit of constitutional civil service — drawing from three decades of personal experience.
Gallery
A life captured in moments — in the field, at the podium, and in quiet scholarship.
Former Chief Secretary · Tamil Nadu · IAS 1987 Batch · All India Rank 15
A career defined by direct engagement with the communities he served
"The pen and the plough are the same — both feed the people."— Dr. V. Irai Anbu · On authorship and service
Contact
For correspondence, speaking engagements, academic enquiries, or media requests.