A. Jayathilak

A. Jayathilak (born 16 June 1966) is a retired Indian civil servant and a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (Kerala cadre).

Early life and education Jayathilak studied medicine at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and graduated in 1990.

Career Jayathilak joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1991.

He served as managing director of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation and was associated with Kerala's tourism branding efforts during the period when officials such as Amitabh Kant and V. Venu were also involved in the state's tourism promotion.

Central government and statutory bodies Jayathilak has served as chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).

He was also the chairman of the Spices Board and as chair of the International Pepper Community during India's chair year.

Chief Secretary of Kerala On 23 April 2025 the Kerala cabinet approved Jayathilak's appointment as chief secretary, following the impending retirement of incumbent Sarada Muraleedharan on 30 April 2025.

Controversies In 2025, shortly before taking charge as Chief Secretary of Kerala, A. Jayathilak was named in a complaint alleging irregularities in the utilisation of Central funds under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). The complaint was received by the Central Vigilance Commission and forwarded to the Government of Kerala.