Suhas L Yathiraj, an IAS officer of the 2007 batch and an internationally acclaimed para-badminton player, has added another accolade to his already impressive resume—his second consecutive silver medal in men’s singles SL4 category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. While this achievement in sports has brought him global recognition, Suhas’ journey as an IAS officer, from managing the largest religious gathering in the world to leading the fight against COVID-19 in one of India’s most challenging districts, is equally inspiring.
Yathiraj’s career as an IAS officer has been marked by his relentless dedication to public service and his ability to handle challenging situations with composure and efficiency. Born in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, Suhas was raised with strong values, instilled by his father, who was also a public servant. Despite being affected by post-polio residual paralysis in his right leg, Suhas never let his physical condition deter him from pursuing his dreams.
After completing his engineering degree at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Suhas juggled his job in a private company with preparing for the IAS exam. His hard work paid off when he cleared the exam on his first attempt, joining the IAS in 2007. His career in the Uttar Pradesh cadre began with postings in various districts, including Azamgarh, Sonbhadra, Jaunpur, and Allahabad.
In 2021, Suhas represented India at the Tokyo Paralympics, where he secured a silver medal in the men’s singles SL4 category, losing a closely fought final to Lucas Mazur of France. Three years later, at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Suhas once again reached the finals and secured another silver, repeating his Tokyo performance and further solidifying his place in history as India’s first badminton player to win two consecutive Paralympic medals.
Earlier on March 2020, when the world was grappling with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Noida, a city in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district, quickly became one of the country’s COVID-19 hotspots. The situation was dire, with rising cases, public fear, and alleged mismanagement by the district administration. The urgency of the situation called for decisive action, and the Uttar Pradesh government knew exactly who to turn to.
On March 30 2020, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, recognising the need for strong leadership, summoned Suhas L. Yathiraj, who was on a break from government service at the time. Suhas was appointed the new District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, tasked with bringing the rapidly deteriorating situation under control. The city was on edge, and the chief minister was reportedly unhappy with the way the previous DM had handled the crisis.
Suhas wasted no time. Within hours of receiving the order, he arrived in Noida and began implementing strict measures to curb the spread of the virus. On his very first day, he ordered the sealing of a company where 16 employees had tested positive for COVID-19 and lodged an FIR against its management for concealing the travel history of its staff. This firm action sent a clear message that the new DM meant business.
In the following days, Suhas set up 300 surveillance teams comprising 900 officials, sealed all containment zones, and even blocked the Delhi-Noida border completely, restricting movement to prevent the spread of the virus. His stern measures were not without criticism, but they were undeniably effective in stabilising the situation in Noida. The message was clear: there would be no compromise on public health, and it could not be business as usual.
In 2019, Yathiraj was appointed as the District Magistrate (DM) of Allahabad, now Prayagraj, during the Kumbh Mela, a religious gathering that draws millions of pilgrims from across the world. Managing such a vast event is a daunting task, requiring meticulous planning, robust coordination, and the ability to handle immense pressure. The Kumbh Mela, with its complex logistical challenges and the potential for any minor oversight to lead to major chaos, was a true test of Suhas’ administrative capabilities.
Under Suhas’ leadership, the Kumbh Mela was not just managed efficiently but was also marked by several firsts. For the first time in history, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet held a meeting on the banks of the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet. This symbolic event was followed by all the ministers taking a holy dip in the river, an act that underscored the importance of the event to the government.
In 2016, while serving as the DM of Azamgarh, Suhas was awarded the Yash Bharti award, the highest civilian honor in Uttar Pradesh, by the then Akhilesh Yadav government. Simultaneously, Azamgarh, then the constituency of Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, was recognised by the Modi government as the top performer in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, a flagship financial inclusion scheme. Suhas was credited with the opening of 8 lakh bank accounts under the scheme, further solidifying his reputation as an effective administrator.
Despite facing frequent transfers early in his career, Suhas’ consistent performance earned him the trust of successive governments. By the time he took on the role of DM in Noida during the COVID-19 crisis, he had already established himself as a “doer,” an officer who could be relied upon to deliver results in even the most challenging circumstances.
While Suhas has made a name for himself as a top-tier administrator, his achievements in the world of para-badminton are equally impressive. Suhas has always been passionate about sports, particularly badminton, which he started playing regularly before his college days. His love for the game continued during his time at the IAS academy in Mussoorie, where he was the runner-up in both badminton and squash. His skills caught the attention of coach Gaurav Khanna, who played a pivotal role in bringing him into para-badminton.
Suhas’ dedication to badminton is as intense as his commitment to public service. In 2016, he won gold in men’s singles at the Asia Championship in Beijing, followed by another gold at the BWF Turkish Open Para-Badminton Championships in 2017. He continued his winning streak with a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
