N. Prasanth, The Visionary IAS Officer Redefining Governance and Compassion

N Prasanth, also known as “Collector Bro,” is a Kerala IAS officer from the 2007 batch, born in 1986 in Thalassery, Kannur, known for innovative projects and social media engagement.
He completed schooling at Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram, and graduated in law from Government Law College, with further studies at prestigious institutions.
Notable roles include Kozhikode District Collector (2015-2017), where he launched initiatives like “Compassionate Kozhikode” and “Operation Sulaimani.”
He is also a filmmaker, with his directorial debut “Daivakanam” premiering at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, and has written books like “Collector Bro: The Quixotic ‘Thallals’ of a Civil Servant.”
Recently, he was suspended in November 2024 for criticizing a senior officer on social media, sparking controversy and legal challenges.

Background and Education: N Prasanth, born in 1986 in Thalassery, Kannur, Kerala, grew up in a Hindu Kshatriya family with his mother being a professor at Government Medical College. He attended Loyola School in Thiruvananthapuram and graduated in law from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, University of Kerala. He further pursued advanced studies at the National Academy of Audits and Accounts, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, and the Asian Institute of Management, equipping him with a robust foundation for his administrative career.

Career Highlights:
Joining the IAS in 2007 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 4, Prasanth’s career is marked by innovative governance. As Kozhikode District Collector from 2015 to 2017, he launched projects like “Compassionate Kozhikode” for mental health, “Operation Sulaimani” for hunger eradication, and “Yo Appooppa” for elderly welfare. He held various roles, including Managing Director of KIIDC since 2019 and Private Secretary to ministers, and was involved in World Bank projects like KSTP and Jalandhini.

Filmmaking and Writing:
Beyond administration, Prasanth is a filmmaker, acting in “Who” and directing “Daivakanam,” which premiered at the 71st Cannes Film Festival. He is also an author, with books like “Collector Bro: The Quixotic ‘Thallals’ of a Civil Servant,” “Life Boy – The Little Book of Happiness,” and “Broswami Stories,” and has published articles in Malayalam and English media.

Recent Controversy and Suspension:
In November 2024, Prasanth was suspended for publicly criticizing Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak on social media, calling him a “psychopath” and accusing him of unethical behavior. The Kerala government cited violations of conduct rules, leading to legal challenges. Political allegations, including a claimed conspiracy with Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, add complexity to his situation.

N Prasanth: From “Collector Bro” to Suspended Whistleblower – A Journey of Innovation, Filmmaking, and Controversy

N Prasanth, also known as Prasanth Nair and affectionately dubbed “Collector Bro,” is a prominent Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, whose career has been a tapestry of innovation, public engagement, and recent controversy. Born in 1986 in Thalassery, Kannur District, Kerala, Prasanth’s journey from a law graduate to a celebrated yet contentious bureaucrat is a compelling narrative of ambition, creativity, and resilience. As of April 11, 2025, his story continues to unfold, marked by significant achievements, a passion for filmmaking, and a suspension that has sparked national debate.

Early Life and Educational Foundations

Prasanth grew up in a Hindu Kshatriya family, with his mother serving as a professor at the Government Medical College, likely influencing his academic rigor. He completed his schooling at Loyola School in Thiruvananthapuram, known for its academic excellence, and graduated with a degree in law from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, University of Kerala. His educational journey didn’t end there; he pursued advanced studies at the National Academy of Audits and Accounts, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, and the Asian Institute of Management, equipping him with a multidisciplinary skill set for his administrative career.

As a child, Prasanth dreamed of becoming a cinematographer, a passion that would later manifest in his filmmaking endeavors. However, during his graduation, he shifted focus to civil services, preparing diligently and clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2007 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 4, joining the IAS with the Kerala cadre.

A Career Defined by Innovation and Public Engagement

Prasanth’s career is marked by his ability to blend traditional administrative roles with innovative solutions, earning him widespread recognition. His most notable tenure was as the District Collector of Kozhikode from 2015 to 2017, where he gained the nickname “Collector Bro” for his approachable demeanor and active social media presence. With over 3 lakh followers on Facebook and 50,000 on Instagram, he used platforms like his “Collector Kozhikode” page to connect with citizens, share updates on welfare schemes, and respond to public complaints.

During his time in Kozhikode, Prasanth launched several groundbreaking initiatives:

Compassionate Kozhikode: Aimed at improving mental health and supporting children’s homes, old age homes, and mental health centers, including improving the menu at Calicut Kuthiravattom Mental Health Centre by serving puttu on the first day.
Operation Sulaimani: Addressed hunger in urban areas by collaborating with hotels and restaurants to provide free meals, a model that gained national attention.
Tere Mere Beach Mein: Focused on waste management at Kozhikode Beach, promoting community participation.
Yo Appooppa: Enhanced the quality of life for the elderly, ensuring better living standards and support systems.
Savarigiri: Facilitated student travel and transportation, easing access to education.

These projects showcased his commitment to addressing grassroots issues with creative solutions, often proposing unique incentives like offering free Malabar Biryani for cleaning a 14-acre pond in Koyilandy, which became a huge success.

Beyond Kozhikode, Prasanth held various key positions:

Managing Director, KIIDC (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board): Since 2019, overseeing infrastructure investments.
Managing Director, Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation: Managing maritime and inland transport.
Private Secretary to KJ Alphons: Minister of State for Tourism (2017-2018), though this lasted less than a year.
Private Secretary to Ramesh Chennaithala: Then Home Minister of Kerala (2014-2015).
Managing Director, Beverages Corporation of Kerala (2013-2014): Overseeing state liquor distribution.
Deputy Secretary, Government of India: Handling central administrative roles.
Secretary to Home Minister: Assisting in state home affairs.
Managing Director, Kerala Academy of Skills: Promoting skill development.
Project Manager, Kerala State Transport Project: Leading transport infrastructure projects.

He was also involved in World Bank projects like “KSTP” (Kerala State Transport Project) and “Jalandhini,” further demonstrating his expertise in managing large-scale developmental initiatives.

READ ALSO = Inspiring Story of Charu Sinha IPS

A Filmmaker and Writer at Heart

Prasanth’s creative pursuits extend beyond administration. He acted in Ajay Devaloka’s film Who and made his directorial debut with Daivakanam, which premiered at the 71st Cannes Film Festival, winning a prize and showcasing his cinematic talent. His passion for writing is equally notable; he is proficient in both English and Malayalam, having published articles in prominent publications like Manorama, Malayala, Kerala Kaumudi, Mathrubhumi, and Malayalam Vaarika. He has authored three books:

Collector Bro: The Quixotic ‘Thallals’ of a Civil Servant: Chronicles his experiences as Kozhikode district collector.
Life Boy – The Little Book of Happiness (Santhoshathinte Kochupusthakam): A collection of inspirational writings.
Broswami Stories: Sharing anecdotes from his administrative journey.

These endeavors highlight his versatility, blending art with public service.

READ ALSO = Inspiring Story of Charu Sinha IPS

Personal Life and Balance

Prasanth is married to Lakshmi Nair, and they have two children: a son named Amrithavarshan and a daughter named Ammu. Despite his demanding career, he has maintained a balance, often sharing glimpses of his family life on social media, which resonates with his public persona.

Controversies and Suspension: A Test of Principles

Prasanth’s career took a controversial turn in November 2024, when he was suspended on disciplinary grounds for publicly criticizing Additional Chief Secretary A Jayathilak on social media. As Special Secretary in the Agricultural Department, he accused Jayathilak of unethical behavior, calling him a “psychopath” in one post and using metaphors like “weed” in others, implying Jayathilak’s detrimental influence. He also denied allegations of missing files in the ‘Unnathi‘ initiative, claiming he had handed them directly to the minister concerned, contradicting Jayathilak’s report.

The Kerala government, led by Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, indicted him for undermining the administrative machinery and tarnishing the government’s reputation, citing violations of the All India Services Conduct Rules, 1968. The charges included public vilification of colleagues, irresponsible behavior, grave indiscipline, insubordination, and violation of high ethical standards, integrity, honesty, accountability, good behavior, and courtesy. The suspension order described his actions as “derogatory” and warned that they could incite division within the IAS and undermine public confidence in the administration.

Prasanth defended himself by describing himself as a “whistleblower,” stating, “This is a new experience for me. Criticising the government or its policies is wrong and action can be taken. I don’t think anyone will be of the opinion that I have done anything like that. My criticism was aimed at certain individuals’ inappropriate tendencies, particularly regarding fabricated reports. Evidence has also come to light regarding this. I trust that creating fake reports is not a government policy, but if criticising such actions leads to consequences, that’s news to me.” He was suspended alongside another IAS officer, K Gopalakrishnan, and both are likely to contest their suspensions legally.

The controversy has political undertones, with CPM leader J Mercykutty Amma alleging Prasanth’s involvement in a conspiracy with Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala regarding a Rs 5,000 crore deep-sea trawler deal MoU in February 2021, adding complexity to his situation.

Legacy and Impact

As of April 11, 2025, N Prasanth remains a polarizing figure. His innovative initiatives in Kozhikode set a benchmark for district-level administration, earning him admiration for his creativity and public engagement. However, his recent suspension highlights the challenges of balancing transparency with institutional norms in India’s bureaucratic landscape. His journey from a law graduate to a prominent IAS officer, filmmaker, and author is inspiring, yet his current legal battles underscore the risks of challenging authority.

Prasanth’s story is a reminder of the fine line between innovation and indiscipline, inspiring aspiring civil servants while cautioning against the personal and professional toll of controversy. His legacy, still unfolding, is one of impact, creativity, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Table: Key Milestones in N Prasanth’s Career

Year	Milestone/Role	Impact/Notes
1986	Born in Thalassery, Kannur, Kerala	Laid foundation for future public service
2007	Cleared UPSC with AIR 4, joined IAS Kerala cadre	Marked entry into civil services
2013-2014	Managing Director, Beverages Corporation of Kerala	Oversaw state liquor distribution
2014-2015	Private Secretary to Home Minister	Assisted in state home affairs
2015-2017	District Collector, Kozhikode	Launched innovative projects like Operation Sulaimani
2017-2018	Private Secretary to Union Tourism Minister	Served under KJ Alphons, lasted <1 year
2019	Managing Director, KIIDC	Led infrastructure investments since
Nov 2024	Suspended for criticizing A Jayathilak on social media	Sparked controversy, legal challenges likely

This table summarizes key milestones, highlighting his educational achievements, administrative roles, and significant controversies, providing a clear overview of his career trajectory.

Leave a comment Cancel reply