Saumil Ranjan Choubey – IAS appointed Chhattisgarh Tourism Board MD
Mr. Saumil Ranjan Choubey, IAS, has been appointed Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, bringing extensive experience in public administration, urban development, digital governance and public communication to the state’s tourism sector.
A Chhattisgarh-cadre officer, Mr. Choubey has held several key administrative positions before taking charge of the Tourism Board. He was serving as Deputy Secretary in the Agriculture Department prior to his new assignment. His earlier responsibilities included serving as Commissioner of Bilaspur Municipal Corporation, Director of Public Relations, Deputy Secretary in the Public Relations Department and Additional Chief Executive Officer of Chhattisgarh Samvad.
Mr. Choubey has also played an important role in urban development and sanitation initiatives. During his tenure as CEO of the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), he contributed to the implementation of sanitation programmes and strengthening Chhattisgarh’s urban sanitation model. Urban local bodies in the state received several national-level recognitions for their sanitation initiatives during this period.
His academic background includes a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, and a Master of Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, both completed on full scholarships. His education has provided him with expertise in public policy, governance, leadership and administrative reforms.
As Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, Mr. Choubey’s experience in policy implementation and technology-driven governance is expected to support the state’s tourism development efforts. His focus on digital platforms, online monitoring and technology-enabled administration could help strengthen transparency, improve coordination and enhance the delivery of tourism-related initiatives.
Chhattisgarh offers significant opportunities across eco-tourism, tribal tourism, heritage, wildlife and cultural tourism. With a combination of natural landscapes, waterfalls, forests and indigenous traditions, the state is seeking to expand its tourism appeal and attract more domestic and international visitors.
Mr. Choubey’s appointment is expected to provide fresh administrative leadership to the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and support the state’s efforts to position tourism as an important contributor to economic development, employment generation and local community participation.
