Kannan Gopinathan is a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and a well-known activist from Kerala, India. On October 13, 2025, he joined the Indian National Congress political party in New Delhi. This news marked a new chapter in his life, showing his move into active politics after years of public service and activism.
Early Life
Kannan Gopinathan was born on December 12, 1985, in Kottayam District, Kerala. His parents are K N Gopinathan Nair, who worked as an Upper Division Clerk for the Government of Kerala, and V R Kumari. He began his schooling in the Palakkad district before moving back to Kottayam for further studies. As a student, he was very bright and became a state-level joint topper in Kerala Technical High School Leaving Certificate Examination in 2001.
He pursued engineering in Electrical and Electronics at the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. His hard work and talent earned him a gold medal in his stream. During this time, he met his future wife, Himani Pathak, a software engineer, while volunteering in Noida.
Early Career
After completing his engineering degree, Kannan Gopinathan started his professional life as a VLSI design engineer at Freescale Semiconductor in Noida. He worked there for about four years. During this period, he also volunteered to teach children living in slums and took part in social activities through the Association for India's Development, Noida chapter. This phase marked the beginning of his interest in social work and public service.
Kannan Gopinathan IAS Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Wife, Family
Administrative Career
In 2012, Kannan Gopinathan cleared the UPSC exam and became an IAS officer in the AGMUT cadre, a group covering the northeastern Indian states and some union territories. His work gained attention when he wrote a letter to the chairman of the State Bank of India to request an ATM in a small remote town in Mizoram. This simple act showed his desire to serve people living in the farthest areas.
During his service in Mizoram, Gopinathan focused on improving government schools and environmental projects. He worked to revive a river called Chite Lui and promoted sports by supporting the creation of badminton academies and training centers. His effort to help in disaster management was recognized by the Government of India. He created a special disaster management app in Aizawl and started a program against drug abuse among school children, which was later adopted across Mizoram.
In 2018, when Kerala faced devastating floods, Gopinathan returned to his home state and worked at relief camps anonymously, without revealing that he was an IAS officer. His dedication and help during this crisis earned him public praise.
Later, he became a secretary of important departments in the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. Here, he helped turn a government electricity company from loss to profit and completed a long-delayed road project. His work was marked by transparency and efficiency.
Activism And Resignation
Kannan Gopinathan became widely known in 2019 when he resigned from the IAS as a protest. His protest was against the Indian government's decision to remove Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the restrictions that followed in the region. His resignation was a bold statement about democracy and human rights, reflecting his strong principles and courage.
After quitting the IAS, Gopinathan became very active in speaking out against policies he saw as unjust. He criticized the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), joining protests and engaging in social activism. Due to his outspoken views, he was detained multiple times by authorities during protests in cities like Mumbai, Agra, and Prayagraj.
In 2020, when the government asked him to return to his duties to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, he refused to rejoin the IAS. Instead, he offered to volunteer in other ways. This led to disciplinary actions against him for disobeying service rules. Despite this, Gopinathan continued to speak up for democracy and civil rights.
Personal Life
Kannan Gopinathan is married to Himani Pathak, a software engineer. They met during their volunteer work in Noida. His family background and early life in Kerala shaped his strong values. His career path, from engineering to administration and finally activism, shows his commitment to public service and social justice.
Recognition
- Recognized as one of the top five bureaucrats making a difference in Northeast India in 2017.
- Widely noticed for his humanitarian work during the Kerala floods in 2018.
- Gained national attention for his resignation in 2019 protesting Article 370 abrogation.
- Became a leading figure in protests against the CAA and NRC.
- On October 13, 2025, officially entered politics by joining the Indian National Congress party.
Kannan Gopinathan's story is one of dedication, courage, and principled action. He has moved from being a successful government officer to a bold activist and now a political figure. His life teaches us the importance of standing up for justice and working selflessly for society.