In a key administrative reshuffle aimed at strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s tourism and cultural ecosystem, the Yogi Adityanath Government has appointed two senior IAS officers to lead the state’s Tourism Department.
Mr. Amrit Abhijat, IAS (1995 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre), has been appointed as Principal Secretary for Tourism, Culture, and Charitable Works, while Mr. Rajesh Kumar-II, IAS (2009 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre), has taken charge as Director General of Tourism. The appointments are expected to play a significant role in advancing Uttar Pradesh’s ambition of becoming India’s leading tourism destination.
The positions were earlier held by Mr. Mukesh Kumar Meshram, IAS, who has now been reassigned as Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Department.
Mr. Amrit Abhijat brings with him extensive experience in urban governance, infrastructure development, and public administration. He previously served as Principal Secretary for Urban Development, Urban Employment, and Poverty Alleviation, and has also held the role of Secretary and Director General of the Tourism & Culture Department during 2014–15. In his new assignment, he will oversee initiatives focused on tourism infrastructure development, cultural heritage preservation, and the promotion of religious tourism across the state. He will also hold additional charge of the Religious Affairs Department.
At the central level, Mr. Abhijat has served as Mission Director of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, where he oversaw large-scale affordable housing and Smart City initiatives. His experience as District Collector in several key districts, many of which are major tourism destinations, is expected to add strategic depth to his leadership of the tourism sector.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar, who earlier served as Commissioner in the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, assumes charge as Director General of Tourism. In this role, he will be responsible for managing tourism operations, executing strategic initiatives, and driving the implementation of the state’s tourism growth plans.
The Uttar Pradesh government continues to position tourism as a key pillar of economic growth, targeting both domestic and international markets. Tourism is expected to play a vital role in the state’s long-term vision of becoming a ₹1 trillion economy by 2047. With these new appointments, the government aims to accelerate infrastructure development, enhance destination marketing, and integrate the state’s rich cultural and religious heritage into a globally competitive tourism strategy.
