Tamil Nadu Government Appoints J. Innocent Divya As New Tourism Commissioner

Government of Tamil Nadu has appointed 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 a graduate in Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.). 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.

Following her tenure in the Nilgiris, J. Innocent Divya was appointed Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC). 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.

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.

As Commissioner of Tourism and MD of TTDC, J. Innocent Divya is expected to play a role in shaping the next phase of Tamil Nadu’s tourism journey.