Not All Civil Servants Make Headlines for Scams — Some Make Us Proud Too

A Governance & Ethics Case Study of Krishna Teja, IAS (Kerala Cadre)

In an era where public attention is often drawn to scandals and administrative failures, stories of ethical and compassionate governance rarely dominate headlines. Yet, it is these stories that define the true spirit of civil services.

One such inspiring example is Krishna Teja, IAS (Kerala Cadre)—an officer whose actions during the post-COVID period demonstrate how administrative authority, when guided by empathy and integrity, can transform lives.

The Context: COVID-19 and the Silent Orphan Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic left behind more than just economic disruption and health emergencies. Among its most tragic consequences were children who lost one or both parents, suddenly exposed to:

• Homelessness
• Disruption of education
• Psychological vulnerability
• Long-term social insecurity

While multiple welfare schemes were announced, the real challenge lay in last-mile delivery and sustained rehabilitation.

The Commitment (March 2022): A Collector’s Promise

In March 2022, while serving as the District Collector of Alappuzha (Alleppey), Krishna Teja made a clear and public administrative commitment:

Every child in the district who lost parents due to COVID would be provided a permanent home and ensured education.

This was not a symbolic assurance—it was a personal administrative pledge, cutting across departmental silos.

From Promise to Policy in Action

Rather than limiting intervention to monetary aid, the district administration adopted a holistic rehabilitation approach.

Key Implementation Features

1. Identification and Verification

• Comprehensive district-level identification of COVID orphans
• Verification through health records, local bodies, and revenue data

2. Permanent Housing, Not Temporary Relief

• Construction of safe, dignified, permanent houses
• Emphasis on sanitation, structural quality, and habitability
• Support from institutions such as Mannapuram Foundation and Sarojini Damodaran Foundation

3. Education as a Non-Negotiable Right

• Ensured school admissions without procedural delays
• Continuous support for learning materials and schooling needs
• Long-term monitoring to prevent dropouts

4. Convergence-Based Governance

• Coordination among Panchayats, Social Welfare Department, NGOs, and CSR partners
• District administration acting as facilitator, not just regulator

Outcome (February 2025): A Promise Kept

On 23 February 2025, Krishna Teja publicly confirmed the completion of the mission:

“The last six houses are handed over—ensuring all 292 COVID orphans now have a secure home and education.”

With this, a three-year administrative commitment was fully honoured—without dilution, delay, or dilution of intent.

Recognition Beyond the State: Deputation to Andhra Pradesh

The impact of this governance model drew attention beyond Kerala.

Pawan Kalyan, Actor and Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (holding the Panchayat Raj portfolio), took special note of Krishna Teja’s work in grassroots governance.

• A special request was made to the Central Government
• Krishna Teja was deputed to Andhra Pradesh for three years
• Appointed as Director, Panchayat Raj Department

This recognition reflects how ethical governance and delivery-based administration transcend cadre boundaries.

Ethics & Governance Dimensions (UPSC GS Paper IV)

This case study is rich in ethical and administrative lessons:

• Compassion and empathy in public service
• Moral courage to take responsibility beyond routine duties
• Integrity in execution and follow-through
• Leadership through action, not publicity
• Citizen-centric governance

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

• Civil services are about outcomes, not optics
• Ethical governance is achievable even within structural constraints
• District administration can be a powerful site of innovation
• True leadership lies in keeping promises to the most vulnerable

Conclusion

Not all civil servants make headlines for scams.
Some quietly build homes, secure futures, and restore faith in the system.

Krishna Teja, IAS, exemplifies what the Constitution envisions—a civil servant who treats service as duty and governance as responsibility.

For aspirants, this is not just a story—it is a template for ethical administration.