In addition to her administrative career, Iyer is an author and editor whose published works address governance, mythology, gender issues, and civil service preparation. She has also participated in literary and cultural forums and contributes to public discussions on leadership, governance, and social development.
Iyer did her schooling at Holy Angel's Convent Thiruvananthapuram. She scored second rank in SSLC examination conducted by Kerala Board of Public Examinations.[8] She pursued her higher secondary education at St. Thomas Central School before enrolling at the Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, where she earned her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree. Her transition from medicine to administration was driven by a desire to address public health and social issues at a systemic level. She cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations twice, initially joining the Indian Revenue Service before qualifying for the IAS in 2014.[9]
Career
Iyer was a doctor before she began her civil service career and continues to practice medicine.[10][9] She joined IAS in 2014[11] and was assistant collector at Kottayam before becoming Sub-Collector of Thiruvananthapuram.
In 2016, as the nodal officer of Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) under the Election Commission and assistant collector in Kottayam, Iyer created a voter awareness campaign with the motto "My Vote My Future" to help improve voter turnout.[12] In 2016, she also wrote and sang the song 'Viral thumbil Nammude Bhaavi' to promote awareness of voting rights and to encourage voting, which was released during a press conference by the District Collector.[13][14]
In 2018, Iyer was transferred from her role as Sub-Collector to Deputy Secretary in the Local Self-Government Department.[15][16][17]
Mission Director of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
Iyer at the #BreakTheChain awareness campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iyer then served as the Mission Director of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS).[18][19] In this role, she was named one of the Kerala Insider 50 Most Influential People of 2020, due to her prominent role in the #BreakTheChain awareness campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic.[20][21]
District Collector
Iyer at Pathanamthitta Collectorate office.
On 12 July 2021, Iyer became the 36th district collector of Pathanamthitta.[22][23] In August 2021, she said she plans to continue measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as development of the district and measures that promote the empowerment of women.[24]
In 2021, following the decision of the State government to award title deeds to farmers in Konni following decades of protests, Iyer prepared and submitted a report with forest division officers as part of the process to distribute the deeds.[25]
In December 2021, Iyer distributed gender neutral school uniforms to the students of Government Tribal LP School Attathodu in Ranni of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.[26]
In 2021 and 2022, Iyer played a key role in coordinating the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage, drawing public attention and appreciation for the administrative efforts. The district collector’s involvement in pilgrimage management also attracted notice, particularly after a recital of Ayyappa keerthana at Pamba during the reception of the Thanka Anki (golden ornaments) procession from the Aranmula temple to Sabarimala circulated widely on social media.[27]
In June 2022, a video of Iyer attending an official function with her toddler went viral on social media. Responding to both support and criticism, she stated, “I am a 24x7 mother and a 24x7 District Collector,” emphasizing that her roles as a parent and as an administrative officer cannot be separated.[28]
In October 2023, Iyer was appointed as the managing director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL).[31] In this role, she oversees the strategic development and operational management of the Vizhinjam International Transshipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, which is expected to reduce India's reliance on foreign ports for transshipment.[32]
Under Iyer's leadership, the port aims to integrate sustainable practices, enhance logistical efficiencies, and improve India's maritime trade competitiveness.[33] The Adani Group’s ports division has committed an additional $1.2 billion to expand the port’s capacity to 3 million TEU by 2028.[34] Iyer has said that this project is a "game changer" for Kerala's economic landscape, fostering port-led industrialisation and attracting global investment.[35]
Director of the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP)
In October 2023, Iyer was appointed as the Director of the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP).[36] The project, partially funded by the World Bank with an estimated outlay of ₹2,300 crore, aims to develop an integrated and sustainable framework for managing municipal solid waste across Kerala’s urban local bodies.[37] In her capacity as Director, Iyer oversees policy formulation, resource allocation, and the adoption of modern waste-processing technologies, including biomining and material recovery facilities.
Under Iyer’s leadership, KSWMP has emphasized decentralized waste management systems, involving community-level participation and collaboration with local self-governing institutions.[38] This approach is intended to reduce environmental impact and public health risks by minimizing the accumulation of untreated waste in landfills. The project also integrates awareness campaigns, capacity-building programs for municipal staff, and partnerships with private entities to promote innovative waste-to-energy solutions.
Iyer’s appointment to the project was announced alongside her designation as Managing Director of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, forming part of a broader administrative restructuring that reassigned several district collectors.[39] Through her dual roles, she is credited with fostering a cross-sectoral approach to sustainable development in Kerala, particularly by aligning large-scale infrastructure projects with environmental stewardship.
Participation in literary festivals
Iyer has participated as a speaker at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), engaging in discussions on parenting, governance, and cultural transformation. During the 2025 edition, she spoke in sessions addressing changing family dynamics and child development. She also participated in subsequent editions of the festival following Kozhikode’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature.[40]
In 2025, she contributed an article titled “Shaping Cinema’s Future” to Kerala Calling, analyzing policy discussions aimed at creating a more inclusive and sustainable film industry, including issues related to gender justice and technological changes in production.[41]
Public engagement and mentorship
Iyer has delivered public lectures and mentorship sessions for civil service aspirants, advocating structured preparation methods. In her TEDx talk titled Demystifying Versatility, she argued for versatility as a leadership strength, drawing on her experiences in medicine, administration, and cultural pursuits.[42]
Published works
Books and publications by Divya S. Iyer
Year
Title
Role
Publisher
Language
ISBN
Ref.
2014
Applied Diplomacy – Through the Prism of Mythology
The couple has a son, born in 2019.[57] Iyer has spoken about the challenges of balancing motherhood with high-pressure administrative roles, discussing the importance of a supportive family structure and the need for breaking gendered stereotypes on parenting and professional identity.[58][59]
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