Krishna Teja IAS is a 2015-batch IAS officer who secured All India Rank 66 in UPSC on his fourth attempt. Born on 2 April 1988 in Andhra Pradesh, he earned recognition for evacuating around 2.5 lakh people during Kerala’s 2018 floods. As of the article, he serves as OSD to Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and Director of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. His journey highlights persistence, effective leadership, and dedication to public service.
Quick Information: IAS Krishna Teja
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mylavarapu V R Krishna Teja (also V.R.K. Teja Mylavarapu) |
| Also Known As | Krishna Teja IAS, VR Krishna Teja IAS, IAS Krishna Teja |
| Profession | IAS Officer (Indian Administrative Service) |
| Date of Birth | 2 April 1988 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 38 years |
| Birth Place | Chilakaluripet, Palnadu District, Andhra Pradesh |
| Domicile State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Community | Arya Vysya (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Education | B.E. in Computer Science (2009) |
| College | Narasaraopeta College of Engineering, JNTU Kakinada |
| Father’s Name | M.V.S.S.N. Kumar (Sivananda Kumar) |
| Mother’s Name | Not publicly detailed |
| Wife | Raga Deepa Mylavarapu (Chartered Accountant) |
| Children | 2 sons — Rishith and Jaivik Ram |
| UPSC Batch | 2015 |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 66 |
| Cadre | Kerala |
| Current Posting | OSD to Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan & Director, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Andhra Pradesh (Inter-Cadre Deputation since July 2024) |
Krishna Teja IAS is one of the most talked-about names in Indian civil services today. Born in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination with All India Rank 66 — not on his first attempt, but on his fourth. What sets him apart is not just that rank. It is how he earned it and what he did with it.
From improving his handwriting under a reluctant primary school teacher to evacuating 2.5 lakh people from floodwaters in 48 hours, IAS Krishna Teja has built a reputation through action. He served the people of Kerala with distinction for nearly seven years before moving to Andhra Pradesh on deputation in 2024.
Today he serves as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His story is a case study in persistence, adaptability, and what genuine public service looks like.
This biography covers VR Krishna Teja IAS — age, education, family, wife, career timeline, awards, and the milestones that define his journey.
Krishna Teja IAS Age, Early Life and Education
A Small Town Beginning
Krishna Teja IAS was born on 2 April 1988 in Chilakaluripet, a town in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh. He belongs to the Arya Vysya community, known for its tradition of education, enterprise, and social service across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He was raised in a family that combined business with community involvement. His father, M.V.S.S.N. Kumar (Sivananda Kumar), is a businessman with a strong reputation for social work in the region. That culture of service became the foundation on which Krishna Teja built his public life.
His schooling took place in Chilakaluripeta itself. He was a consistent high performer — reportedly topping his class in 10th standard and at the intermediate level. Teachers recognized his discipline early.
Engineering, IBM, and the First Steps Toward Civil Services
After completing school, he pursued a B.E. in Computer Science from Narasaraopeta College of Engineering under Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Kakinada, graduating in 2009. He was among the standout graduates of his batch.
After graduation, he worked in the software industry, including a stint at IBM. The corporate career offered stability and growth. But something was missing. He wanted to serve people at a scale that private employment could not offer.
His brother had already joined the Indian Forest Service (IFS) — a fact that gave Krishna Teja a personal reference point for what a life in government service could look like. The decision to appear for the UPSC became firm.
The UPSC Journey — Three Failures, One Breakthrough
The UPSC Civil Services Examination tests candidates across Prelims, Mains, and a Personality Test. It is widely considered the most competitive exam in India. Krishna Teja sat for it four times before clearing it.
During his preparation years, he joined RC Reddy IAS Study Circle as a Lecturer. Teaching sharpened his own understanding and kept him financially grounded. His Mains preparation was guided by Bala Latha Madam, a civil servant who ran answer-writing sessions from her home.
The routine was intense:
- He arrived at her home every day at 4 AM
- Wrote timed answers to questions she had prepared overnight
- Got each paper corrected with detailed feedback
- Returned home and revised before his teaching shift
Two specific weaknesses almost cost him the exam. First, he had a habit of writing in bullet points rather than essay form — a style that costs marks in UPSC Mains. Second, his handwriting was difficult to read, which affects presentation scores significantly.
For handwriting, he approached a local primary school teacher. The teacher refused at first — it seemed unusual to teach an adult the basics of writing. But Krishna Teja explained why clarity mattered and what was at stake. The teacher agreed. Consistent daily practice transformed his script.
In his fourth attempt in 2015, he secured All India Rank 66 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. He was allocated the Kerala cadre — a state far from home, with a different language and culture.
Education & UPSC At a Glance
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| School | Local schools, Chilakaluripet, Palnadu District, AP |
| Intermediate | Topped at local level (reported) |
| Degree | B.E. in Computer Science |
| College | Narasaraopeta College of Engineering |
| University | JNTU, Kakinada |
| Graduation Year | 2009 |
| Pre-UPSC Work | Software industry; IBM; Lecturer at RC Reddy IAS Study Circle |
| UPSC Mentor | Bala Latha Madam |
| UPSC Attempts | 4 |
| UPSC Exam Year | 2015 |
| All India Rank | 66 |
| IAS Batch | 2015 |
| Cadre Allotted | Kerala |
| Training Academy | LBSNAA, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand |
Family Details of Krishna Teja IAS
A Grounded Family Behind a Determined Officer
Krishna Teja IAS family comes from a business background with clear values around education and service. His father, M.V.S.S.N. Kumar, is known in Chilakaluripet for both business and community work. His grandfather was also involved in trade and public service.
His mother was initially more comfortable with him staying in the corporate world. She had concerns, as many parents do, about the uncertainty of UPSC preparation. After he cleared the exam, she became fully supportive.
His brother’s presence in the Indian Forest Service made civil services feel like a realistic and respected goal for the family.
Krishna Teja IAS Wife and Marriage
Krishna Teja IAS wife is Raga Deepa, a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The couple married around 2016, shortly after he joined service. Their marriage brings together two high-achieving professionals with different but complementary fields.
Raga Deepa has been described by Krishna Teja as a steady support through his postings, transfers, and the demands of administrative work. She manages family responsibilities so he can give full focus to his duties.
The couple has two sons:
- Rishith — elder son, born around 2018
- Jaivik Ram — younger son, born around 2024
The family maintains a low public profile, which is consistent with Krishna Teja’s focus on governance over personal branding.
Krishna Teja IAS Family
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | M.V.S.S.N. Kumar (Sivananda Kumar) — Businessman, social worker |
| Mother | Not publicly detailed |
| Brother | Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer (name not publicly detailed) |
| Wife | Raga Deepa Mylavarapu — Chartered Accountant (CA) |
| Wife’s Hometown | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh |
| Marriage Year | Around 2016 |
| Elder Son | Rishith (born ~2018) |
| Younger Son | Jaivik Ram (born ~2024) |
| Community | Arya Vysya, Andhra Pradesh |
| Home District | Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh |
Career of Krishna Teja IAS
From LBSNAA to Kerala’s Fields
After clearing UPSC, Krishna Teja completed his foundation and induction training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie — the premier academy for Indian civil servants. The training covered governance, law, ethics, rural administration, and field visits across India.
He was allotted the Kerala cadre — a state he had no personal connection to. Yet over the next seven years, Kerala became the state that defined him as an administrator.
Complete Posting History
| # | Role | Location / Department | Period | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assistant Secretary | Housing and Urban Affairs, Kerala | Jul 2017 – Sep 2017 | 2 months |
| 2 | Sub-Collector & SDM | Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kerala | Oct 2017 – Sep 2019 | ~2 years |
| 3 | Addl. Director General | Tourism, Kerala | Sep 2019 – Jan 2021 | ~1 yr 4 months |
| 4 | General Manager | Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation | Apr 2020 – Apr 2021 | ~1 year |
| 5 | Director / MD | Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) | Jan 2021 – Aug 2022 | ~1 yr 7 months |
| 6 | District Collector & DM | Alappuzha District | Aug 2022 – Mar 2023 | 7 months |
| 7 | District Collector & DM | Thrissur District | Mar 2023 – Jul 2024 | ~1 yr 4 months |
| 8 | OSD to Deputy CM; Director, Panchayati Raj & RD | Andhra Pradesh (Deputation) | Jul 2024 – Present | 2+ years (ongoing) |
Operation Kuttanad — The Rescue That Defined His Career
In August 2018, Kerala received some of the heaviest rainfall in nearly a century. The Kuttanad region, which lies below sea level, was filling dangerously fast. Dam gates had to be opened to relieve pressure — but doing so would submerge everything below, including hundreds of thousands of people in their homes.
As Sub-Collector of Alappuzha, Krishna Teja had to make a high-stakes call. He worked alongside Finance Minister Dr. Thomas Isaac to build an evacuation plan that was both fast and credible enough to convince a reluctant public.
The challenge was not just logistics. Many residents believed their homes were safe or were unwilling to leave. Krishna Teja went village by village, making the case personally. His training in Geography helped him model which areas would flood first and build evacuation priority lists.
He deployed over 200 boats and coordinated rescue teams across the region. Within 48 hours, approximately 2.5 lakh people — around 95% of the population in the affected zones — were evacuated. Animals were also rescued and provided with veterinary care and feed.
After the flood receded, he launched the “I Am for Alleppey” campaign to raise rehabilitation funds. The effort drew donations and attention from across Kerala and beyond.
Operation Kuttanad is now cited as one of the most effective large-scale civilian evacuations in modern Indian administrative history.
COVID-19: Administration Under Pressure
The pandemic tested every district officer in India. During his various postings in Kerala between 2020 and 2022, IAS Krishna Teja took on several COVID-related responsibilities:
| Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Essential Supplies | Coordinated timely delivery of food and medicine to remote, tribal, and urban areas |
| Quarantine Management | Set up and ran isolation centers; enforced COVID-19 protocols with minimal conflict |
| Migrant Workers | Provided shelter, meals, and transport for thousands of stranded migrant labourers |
| Public Awareness | Ran vaccination and hygiene campaigns that reduced local hesitancy |
| COVID Orphan Support | As Alappuzha Collector, pledged and delivered homes for children orphaned by the pandemic |
The COVID orphan initiative stands out. As District Collector of Alappuzha, Krishna Teja made a public commitment to house children who had lost both parents to COVID-19. Reports confirmed that homes were arranged for hundreds of such children — a promise that was followed through.
Child Rights Work in Thrissur
As District Collector of Thrissur, he made child welfare a priority. He focused on access to education, child protection, and nutrition programmes. His work earned recognition from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) — a national-level acknowledgement that is not common for a district collector.
Tourism Sector Contributions
As MD of KTDC and Addl. DG of Tourism, Krishna Teja worked to restore Kerala’s tourism economy after the dual damage of the 2018 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. He focused on:
- Improving KTDC hotel properties and guest experiences
- Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism
- Repositioning Kerala’s heritage tourism offerings
His tenure helped stabilize an industry that contributes significantly to Kerala’s economy.
Current Posting — OSD to Deputy CM, Andhra Pradesh
In July 2024, the newly elected NDA government in Andhra Pradesh — under CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan — sought an officer with proven crisis management and rural development experience. Krishna Teja’s name came up because of Operation Kuttanad and his COVID-19 work.
The Central Government approved an Inter-Cadre Deputation from Kerala to Andhra Pradesh for three years. Since 15 July 2024, he has served as OSD to Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and also holds charge as Director, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Andhra Pradesh.
His Krishna Teja IAS current posting is among the most high-profile roles held by any 2015-batch officer in the country. When he departed Kerala, citizens and colleagues gave him a farewell that was unusual for an officer from another state — a reflection of how deeply he had connected with the people there.
Awards & Achievements
| Award / Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| AIR 66, UPSC CSE 2015 | Secured in 4th attempt; entered Kerala cadre |
| Operation Kuttanad | Led evacuation of ~2.5 lakh people in 48 hours during 2018 floods |
| National Awards (7) | Received for public administration, governance, and social initiatives |
| International Awards (2) | Recognized globally for administrative excellence (specific names not publicly disclosed) |
| NCPCR Recognition | Acknowledged by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights for Thrissur work |
| COVID Orphan Housing | Arranged homes for hundreds of children orphaned by the pandemic in Alappuzha |
| KTDC Turnaround | Led post-COVID recovery of Kerala’s state tourism body |
| “I Am for Alleppey” Campaign | Raised rehabilitation funds for 2018 flood victims |
Interesting Facts About Krishna Teja IAS
- 📅 He was born on 2 April 1988 in Chilakaluripet — a small town that produced a nationally recognized administrator.
- 💼 He worked at IBM after engineering — a corporate career he left to pursue civil services.
- 👨🏫 During UPSC preparation he taught at RC Reddy IAS Study Circle to stay financially independent while continuing to prepare.
- ✍️ A primary school teacher initially refused to teach him handwriting, but he convinced the teacher — and the improved handwriting helped him clear his final attempt.
- 🌊 He evacuated 2.5 lakh people in 48 hours using 200+ boats during the 2018 Kerala floods — one of the most efficient civilian rescues in recent memory.
- 🐄 Animals were also rescued during Operation Kuttanad — they received veterinary care and food just as people received shelter and aid.
- 🏠 As Alappuzha Collector, he arranged homes for COVID-orphaned children — a promise he made publicly and kept.
- 👨💼 His brother is in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) — which influenced his decision to pursue government service over the corporate path.
- 💑 His wife Raga Deepa is a Chartered Accountant — the couple has two sons, Rishith and Jaivik Ram.
- 🏆 When he left Kerala in 2024, citizens gave him a farewell that officials described as rare for an officer from another state.
Conclusion
Krishna Teja IAS turned three UPSC failures into nine national and international awards. He turned a flood disaster into one of India’s most efficient civilian evacuation operations. He turned a deputation to an unfamiliar state into a seven-year career that earned him a farewell Keralites reserved for their own.
The story of IAS Krishna Teja carries clear lessons for anyone preparing for civil services — or for anyone building a career in public life. Feedback is not failure. A setback at attempt three is not a final answer. Showing up at a mentor’s door at 4 AM, every day, for a year, matters more than natural talent.
His current role as OSD to Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy CM places him at the center of rural development policy in one of India’s larger states. Based on the pattern of his career, the work ahead will be worth watching.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Krishna Teja IAS?
V R Krishna Teja Mylavarapu, known as Krishna Teja IAS, is a 2015 batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre from Andhra Pradesh. He cleared UPSC with AIR 66 on his fourth attempt and is currently posted as OSD to the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
2. What is Krishna Teja IAS current posting?
Since 15 July 2024, he serves as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and Director, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, Andhra Pradesh, on Inter-Cadre Deputation from Kerala.
3. What is Krishna Teja IAS rank in UPSC?
He secured All India Rank 66 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2015 — on his fourth attempt.
4. Who is Krishna Teja IAS wife?
His wife is Raga Deepa, a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) from Vijayawada. They married around 2016 and have two sons — Rishith and Jaivik Ram.
5. What is Krishna Teja IAS age?
He was born on 2 April 1988 and is 38 years old as of 2026.
6. Where is Krishna Teja IAS from?
He is from Chilakaluripet, Palnadu District, Andhra Pradesh. His domicile state is Andhra Pradesh but he was allotted the Kerala cadre.
7. What is Krishna Teja IAS caste or community?
He belongs to the Arya Vysya community of Andhra Pradesh as referenced in public sources. He has not made any official declaration regarding caste.
8. What is Operation Kuttanad?
Operation Kuttanad was the large-scale flood rescue operation led by Krishna Teja IAS in August 2018 in the Kuttanad region of Alappuzha, Kerala. He evacuated approximately 2.5 lakh people using 200+ boats in 48 hours, with minimal loss of life.
9. What is the Krishna Teja IAS handwriting story?
He had poor handwriting that hurt his UPSC Mains performance. He sought out a local primary school teacher who initially refused to teach an adult. Krishna Teja convinced him and practiced writing daily until his script improved enough for the exam — a key reason he cleared it on the fourth try.
