Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy stands as a formidable figure in the realm of civil service, renowned for his unwavering commitment to combating corruption. His steadfast resolve in confronting illegal land dealings, real-estate magnates, and political bureaucracy stems from a deep-seated conviction against injustice. While his career has not been devoid of political controversies, Dr. Swamy has garnered widespread support from the common populace, who see him as a beacon of integrity.

The proliferation of his online anti-corruption campaigns has led to an unprecedented surge in his admirers. Currently serving as the Chairman of the Coconut Development Board in Kochi, Kerala, Dr. Swamy’s dedication to upholding professional integrity was recognized in 2018 when he was bestowed with the prestigious Satyendra K Dubey Memorial Award by IIT Kanpur.

Born into a modest family in Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram in 1968, Dr. Swamy was raised in an environment steeped in academia, with both his parents being professors. Blessed with ample inspiration at home and a fervent interest in academics, he excelled in his studies, earning numerous accolades. Despite receiving a full scholarship from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. Swamy chose to pursue a career in Civil Services. Opting for mathematics and physics for the Civil Services exams, he emerged as the topper in 1991. His approach to success was rooted in passion rather than mere examination scores, emphasizing the importance of effective time management.

Throughout his administrative tenure, Dr. Swamy has held pivotal positions, including Agriculture Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary (Agriculture) in the Kerala Government. However, his unyielding stance against corruption has incurred the ire of bureaucrats and politicians, resulting in no less than 22 transfers over 27 years of service. Undeterred, he views himself as a small yet significant part of a larger movement against corruption, a sentiment echoed by the numerous accolades he has received, such as the Fourth IRDS award from the Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences (IRDS).

Amidst the turbulence of his career, Dr. Swamy found solace in writing, with reading and writing serving as his creative outlets. Authoring over 26 books, his writings, predominantly in Malayalam, mirror the values he upholds. His literary endeavors have earned him prestigious awards such as the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for his travelogue “Santhimantram Muzhangunna Thazvarayil” and the Bhim Gold Medal and Kunhunni Awards for children’s literature.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Dr. Swamy views learning as a lifelong pursuit. He holds a post-graduate diploma in IPR from the National Law School, Bengaluru, a professional diploma in Public Procurement from the World Bank, an honorary doctorate degree from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (2011), and a Homi Bhabha Fellowship to study Cyber law. Notably, he is the first civil servant to complete all ten courses conducted by the National Institute of Disaster Management, New Delhi.

In recognition of his exemplary dedication to upholding integrity and fighting corruption, Dr. Raju Narayana Swamy was awarded the Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award in 2018 by IIT Kanpur.