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{{Short description|Indian Administrative Service Officer, medical doctor, and author}}
{{Promotional|date=February 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use Indian English |date=February 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| native_name =
| image = Dr. Divya S. Iyer IAS - incumbent Pathanamthitta district magistrate.jpg
| caption = Iyer at her office in Pathanamthitta collectorate, 2021
| office1 =
| appointer1 =
| term_start1 =
| prime_minister1 =
| predecessor1 =
| office2 = Managing Director of [[Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram| Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited]]
| appointer2 = [[Government of Kerala]]
| minister2 = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
| predecessor2 = Adeela Abdulla, IAS
| successor2 =
| term_start2 = 13 October 2023
| term_end2 =
| appointer3 = [[Chief Minister of Kerala]]
| office3 = [[District Collector]] of [[Pathanamthitta]]
| 2blankname3 = [[List of Chief Ministers of Kerala|Chief Minister]]
| 2namedata3 = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
| predecessor3 =
| successor3 = Shibu A
| minister3 =
| term_end3 = 20 October 2023
| term_start3 = 12 July 2021
| office4 = Mission Director of the [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005|Mahatma Gandhi NREGA]]
| appointer4 = [[Chief Minister of Kerala]]
| 2blankname4 = [[List of Chief Ministers of Kerala|Chief Minister]]
| 2namedata4 = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
| predecessor4 =
| term_end4 = 7 July 2021
| term_start4 = 2018
| successor4 =
| 3blankname4 = [[List of Chief Ministers of Kerala|Chief Minister]]
| 3namedata4 = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|10|16|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| alma_mater = [[Christian Medical College, Vellore]]
| education = [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|M.B.B.S.]]
| profession = {{hlist|Civil servant|Medical doctor}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[K. S. Sabarinadhan]]|2017}}
| children = 1
| module = {{Listen|pos=center |embed= yes |filename= Divya S Iyers' Speech.flac |title= Divya S. Iyer's voice |type= speech |description= Few words recorded from the [[Ted Talk]] programme held in April 2017.}}
}}

Divya Sesha Iyer (born 16 October 1984) is an Indian civil servant, medical doctor, author, editor, and public speaker serving in the [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) in Kerala. She currently serves as the Managing Director of [[Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram]] and Director of the [[Kerala Solid Waste Management Project]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Balan |first1=Saritha S |title=Divya S Iyer IAS to Adeela Abdulla IAS, here are Kerala's 8 women District Collectors |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/divya-s-iyer-ias-adeela-abdulla-ias-here-are-keralas-8-women-district-collectors-152088|access-date=10 July 2021 |work=Open Magazine |date=July 10, 2021}}</ref><ref name=rev>{{Cite web |title=Previous District Collectors {{!}} Pathanamthitta District, Government of Kerala {{!}} India |url=https://pathanamthitta.nic.in/en/previous-district-collectors/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> She previously served as District Collector of Pathanamthitta and as Mission Director of the [[Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme]] in Kerala.<ref name=rev/> and Mission Director of [[National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005|Mahatma Gandhi NREGA]].<ref>{{cite news |title=How NREGA helped in rebuilding Kerala, as well as provided livelihood to people|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/how-nrega-helped-rebuilding-kerala-well-provided-livelihood-people-97178|access-date=20 Oct 2024 |work=TheNewsMinute}}</ref>

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.

==Early life and education==
Iyer was born on 16 October 1984.<ref name = Civil_List>{{cite web|title=Civil List|url=https://easy.nic.in/civilListIAS/YrCurr/AgeListCL.asp?Slab=3&Cadre=KL&AsOnDate=01/01/2018|access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref> She hails from [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sabarinadhan weds Divya S. Iyer|newspaper=The Hindu|date=July 2017|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sabarinadhan-weds-divya-s-iyer/article19190031.ece|access-date=7 August 2021}}</ref> She is the elder daughter of Sesha Iyer, who is a retired [[Indian Space Research Organisation]] employee,<ref name="Philip 2017">{{cite news |last1=Philip |first1=Shaju |title=An officer and the gentleman: Kerala IAS officer to marry MLA |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/an-officer-and-the-gentleman-kerala-ias-officer-to-marry-mla-4639707/ |access-date=2 April 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=May 4, 2017}}</ref> and Bhagavathy Ammal, a [[State Bank of Travancore]] employee.<ref>{{cite news |title=MLA KS Sabarinathan to marry Thiruvananthapuram sub-collector Divya S Iyer |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/030517/mla-ks-sabarinathan-to-marry-thiruvananthapuram-sub-collector-divya-s-iyer.html |access-date=2 April 2021 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=May 3, 2017}}</ref>

Iyer did her schooling at [[Holy Angel's Convent Thiruvananthapuram]]. She scored third rank in [[Secondary School Leaving Certificate|SSLC]] examination conducted by Kerala Board of Public Examinations.<ref>{{cite news |title=''മിടുക്കിയായി പഠിച്ച് ഐഎഎസ് നേടണം''; ''പഠിക്കും, ഡോക്ടറാകും, ഐഎഎസ്സും''|author=മിന്റു പി. ജേക്കബ്|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/latest-news/2022/01/26/collector-divya-s-iyer-minister-antony-raju-and-an-ias-link.html |access-date=February 1, 2022 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]] |date=January 27, 2022 |language=ml}}</ref> She pursued her higher secondary education at St. Thomas Central School before enrolling at the [[Christian Medical College | Christian Medical College Vellore]], Vellore, where she earned her [[MBBS|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|Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)]] examinations twice, initially joining the Indian Revenue Service before qualifying for the IAS in 2014.<ref name="Aswin 2017"/>

==Career==
Iyer was a doctor before she began her civil service career and continues to practice medicine.<ref name=Hindu2017>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/this-bureaucrat-also-heals/article17413890.ece |title=This bureaucrat also heals|work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |date=6 March 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Aswin 2017">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/education/imperfections-need-to-be-appreciated/article17663614.ece |title=Imperfections need to be appreciated |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN |date=25 March 2017 |author= Aswin V.N. }}</ref> She joined IAS in 2014<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala MLA KS Sabarinadhan to marry Thiruvananthapuram sub-collector Divya Iyer |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2017/may/02/kerala-mla-ks-sabarinadhan-to-marry-thiruvananthapuram-sub-collector-divya-iyer-1600194.html |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |agency=Express News Service |date=May 2, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/politics/050416/straight-bat-vote-bank-message-to-lure-voters.html |title=Straight bat: Vote bank message to lure voters|date=April 5, 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=പാട്ടു പാടി 'വോട്ടു' ചെയ്യിക്കാന്‍ കോട്ടയത്തൊരു കളക്ടര്‍...ദിവ്യ എസ് അയ്യര്‍|url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/amphtml/news/kerala/assembly-election-2016-kottayam-assistant-collector-writes-and-sings-for-sveep-song-148278.html|date=13 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=TMN Staff |title=Songbird bureaucrat: Kottayam Asst. Collector's beautiful melody encouraging voting |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/songbird-bureaucrat-kottayam-asst-collectors-beautiful-melody-encouraging-voting-41507 |access-date=14 April 2021 |work=The News Minute |date=April 12, 2016}}</ref>

In 2018, Iyer was transferred from her role as Sub-Collector to Deputy Secretary in the Local Self-Government Department.<ref>{{cite news |title=Divya S. Iyer transferred to Local Self-Govt dept |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/divya-s-iyer-transferred-to-local-self-govt-dept/article23436218.ece |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=April 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sub-Collector Divya S Iyer transferred to Local Self Government Department Department |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/apr/05/sub-collector-divya-s-iyer-transferred-to-local-self-government-department-department-1797182.html |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |agency=Express News Service |date=April 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Divya S Iyer went by the book in Kuttichal land deal, says collector Vasuki |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2018/04/06/divya-s-iyer-kuttichal-land-deal.html |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=OnManorama |date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>

===Mission Director of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA===
[[File:Divya s iyer.jpg|thumb|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).<ref name="Kurian 2019">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-nrega-helped-rebuilding-kerala-well-provided-livelihood-people-97178 |title=How NREGA helped in rebuilding Kerala, as well as provided livelihood to people|work=The News Minute |language=en-IN|date=22 February 2019|author=Shiba Kurian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme|url=https://nregs.kerala.gov.in/en/state/|access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref> 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 in India|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazar |first1=Necin |title=Kerala Insider's 50 Most Influential People of 2020 |url=https://www.keralainsider.com/50-most-influential-people-of-2020-in-kerala/ |access-date=2 April 2021 |work=Kerala Insider |archive-date=4 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404130341/https://www.keralainsider.com/50-most-influential-people-of-2020-in-kerala/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/startup-india-uber-ola-zomato-layoffs-unicorns-venture-capitalists-risk-appetite-covid-impact/coronavirus/coronavirus/kerala-mnrega-coronavirus-pandemic-food-kits-cash-work-break-the-chain |title=Food Kits, #BreakTheChain: How Kerala Made Life Easy During Corona|work=The News Minute |language=en-IN|date=30 April 2020|author=Smitha TK}}</ref>

=== District Collector===
[[File:Divya S. Iyer, District Collector of Pathanamthitta.jpg|thumb|Iyer at Pathanamthitta Collectorate office.]]
On 12 July 2021, Iyer became the 36th [[district collector]] of [[Pathanamthitta]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://pathanamthitta.nic.in/previous-district-collectors/ |title=Previous District Collectors|work=Government of Kerala |language=en|access-date=14 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/news/pathanamthitta/divya-s-iyer-takes-over-as-pathanamthitta-district-collector-299976.html |title=ദിവ്യ എസ് അയ്യര്‍ പത്തനംതിട്ട ജില്ലാ കളക്ടറായി ചുമതലയേറ്റു|work=OneIndia Malayalam |language=ml|date=12 July 2021|author=Ajmal MK}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/collector-divya-s-iyer-envisions-a-women-friendly-pathanamthitta-women-empowerment-pathanamthitta-divya-s-iyer-1.5877873 |title=Collector Divya S Iyer envisions a women-friendly Pathanamthitta|work=Mathrubhumi |language=en|date=14 August 2021}}</ref>

In 2021, following the decision of the State government to award title deeds to farmers in [[Konni, Kerala|Konni]] following decades of protests, Iyer prepared and submitted a report with forest division officers as part of the process to distribute the deeds.<ref name="Hindu 2021 2">{{cite news |last1=Staff Reporter |title=6,000 farmers in Konni to get title deeds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/6000-farmers-in-konni-to-get-title-deeds/article35881369.ece |access-date=15 August 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=August 12, 2021}}</ref>

In December 2021, Iyer distributed gender neutral school uniforms to the students of Government Tribal LP School Attathodu in [[Ranni, Kerala|Ranni]] of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff Reporter |title=6,000 farmers in Konni to get title deeds |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2021/dec/24/tribal-school-in-kerala-receives-gender-neutral-uniforms-from-the-district-collector-of-pathanamthitta-26485.html |access-date=12 February 2022 |work=The edexLive |date=24 December 2021}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Deccan Chronicle">{{cite news |last1=Arjun Reghunath |title=Women officers played key role in Sabarimala pilgrimage coordination|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/women-officers-played-key-role-in-sabarimala-pilgrimage-coordination-1072303.html |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=26 January 2022}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news
|title=IAS Officer Divya S. Iyer Says She Is '24x7 Mum and 24x7 District Collector'
|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-kerala-ias-officer-says-she-is-a-24x7-mum-and-a-24x7-district-collector-after-video-of-her-taking-son-to-public-event-goes-viral-3491541
|access-date=4 March 2025
|publisher=NDTV
|date=June 2022}}</ref>

Divya took part in a [[flash mob]] with students of [[Catholicate College Pathanamthitta|Catholicate College]], as part of the [[MG University]] Union Arts Festival.<ref>{{cite news |title=District collector in Kerala joins students in flash mob, video wows all online|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/pathanamthitta-district-collector-dance-video-kerala-7849342/lite/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=31 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pathanamthitta Collector Dr Divya Dancing with MG University Students as Part of Flash Mob|url=https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/pathanamthitta-collector-dr-divya-dancing-with-mg-university-students-as-part-of-flash-mob-4932239.html |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=News 18 |date=31 March 2022}}</ref>

===Vizhinjam International Seaport===
[[File:2024 July.jpg|thumb|Divya with [[Chief Minister of Kerala]], [[Pinarayi Vijayan]], visiting the Vizhinjam International Seaport during an official inspection/inauguration event.]]

In October 2023, Iyer was appointed as the managing director of [[Vizhinjam International Seaport]] Limited (VISL).<ref>{{cite news |title=Bureaucratic reshuffle in Kerala: Vizhinjam Seaport MD replaced, six district collectors transferred |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/oct/13/bureaucratic-reshuffle-in-kerala-vizhinjam-seaport-md-replaced-six-district-collectors-transferred-2623573.html |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=14 October 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vizhinjam Port |url=https://vizhinjamport.in |access-date=4 March 2025 |publisher=Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited}}</ref>

Under Iyer's leadership, the port aims to integrate sustainable practices, enhance logistical efficiencies, and improve India's maritime trade competitiveness.<ref>{{cite news |title="Big milestone for Kerala.” says VISL MD Divya S Iyer as PM Modi inaugurates Vizhinjam Seaport |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ivbei |work=ANI News}}</ref> 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.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=India’s Adani to pump further $1.2 billion into Kerala deep-sea port |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-adani-pump-further-12-bln-into-kerala-deep-sea-port-2024-11-28/ |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=28 November 2024}}</ref> Iyer has said that this project is a "game changer" for Kerala's economic landscape, fostering port-led industrialisation and attracting global investment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vizhinjam Port accelerates development work to tap global maritime potential-md divyas iyer |url=https://cargoandconnect.in/vizhinjam-port-accelerates-development-work-to-tap-global-maritime-potential-md-divya-s-iyer/ |date= January 28, 2026 |work=cargo & Connect}}</ref>

=== 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).<ref>{{cite news |title=In major reshuffle, Divya S Iyer is new MD of Vizhinjam port, 5 districts get new collectors |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/major-admin-reshuffle-divya-s-iyer-new-md-of-vizhinjam-port-5-districts-get-new-collectors-1.8983205 |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=[[Mathrubhumi|English.Mathrubhumi]] |date=13 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) |url=https://kswmp.org/ |access-date=22 November 2023 |publisher=Government of Kerala}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=‘Focus on decentralised waste management’: KSWMP’s new guidelines for ULBs |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/focus-on-decentralised-waste-management-kswmps-new-guidelines-for-ulbs/article37801953.ece |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=3 December 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Divya S Iyer named Vizhinjam Port MD in latest round of IAS officer reshuffle in Kerala |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/kerala/top-news/2023/10/13/ias-officers-reshuffle-state-govt-divya-iyer-new-vizhinjam-port-md.html |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=[[OnManorama]] |date=13 October 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speaker|url=https://indiacurrents.com/kerala-literature-festival-2025-a-thumping-success/|access-date=2 April 2021 |work=KLF |date=December 29, 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala Calling|url=https://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/inline-files/kc%20august%202025%2002-09%20small.pdf|access-date=2 April 2021 |work=Kerala Calling |date=December 29, 2014}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite news |title=How to Do It All? Demystifying Versatility TEDxMACE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG-KG69UFUI |access-date=2 April 2021 |via=[[YouTube]] |date=December 29, 2014}}</ref>

== Published works ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Books and publications by Divya S. Iyer
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Publisher !! Language !! ISBN !! Ref.
|-
| 2014 || ''Applied Diplomacy – Through the Prism of Mythology'' || Editor || Wisdom Tree || English || 978-8183283816 ||
|-
| 2019 || ''Pathfinder – Civil Services Main Examination'' || Author || DC Books || English || 978-8126442935 ||
|-
| 2021 || ''Ethrayum Priyappettavalkk'' || Translator || DC Books || Malayalam || 978-9354820120 || <ref>{{cite news |title=Release of Feminist Manifesto translation |work=The New Indian Express |date=2021-10-04 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/ |access-date=2026-02-06}}</ref>
|-
| 2022 || ''Kaioppitta Vazhikal'' || Author || DC Books || Malayalam || 978-9354820823 ||
|-
| 2022 || ''The Indian Woman'' || Author || DC Books || English || 978-9354826979 ||
|-
| — || ''The Bane of Party Drugs in India'' || Co-editor || — || English || — ||<ref>{{cite journal |title=Policy Paper on Substance Abuse |journal=Kerala Police Academy Journal |year=2020}}</ref>
|}

== Awards and honors ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Awards and recognition received by Divya S. Iyer
|-
! Year !! Award !! Granting Body !! Basis of Recognition !! Ref.
|-
| 2020 || 50 Most Influential People of Kerala || ''Kerala Insider'' || Leadership during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala|#BreakTheChain]] campaign. ||<ref>{{cite web |title=50 Most Influential People of 2020 in Kerala |url=https://keralainsider.com/50-most-influential-people-of-2020-in-kerala/ |website=Kerala Insider |date=30 December 2020 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref>
|-
| 2023 || Excellence in Good Governance Award || [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Union Home Ministry]] || Outstanding performance as District Collector of [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]. ||<ref>{{cite web |title=Collector Divya S Iyer receives Excellence in Good Governance Award from Amit Shah |url=https://www.twentyfournews.com/2023/01/22/divya-s-iyer-about-excellence-in-governance-award.html |website=24 News |date=22 January 2023 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref>
|-
| 2023 || Indian Express Excellence in Governance Award || [[The Indian Express]] Group || Implementation of structured disaster risk mitigation and planning. ||<ref>{{cite web |title=19 people awarded with Excellence in Governance Award |url=https://indianmasterminds.com/news/bureaucracy-news/19-people-awarded-with-excellence-in-governance-award/ |website=Indian Masterminds |date=19 January 2023 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || News18 Kerala Business Awards || [[News18 Kerala]] || Leadership at Vizhinjam Port and contributions to the regional business climate. ||<ref>{{cite web |title=LIVE : News18 Kerala Business Awards 2025 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAjuLDOboGg |website=News18 Kerala (via YouTube) |year=2025 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || International Inspirational Woman in Administration || GISR Foundation || Versatile administrative leadership across multiple sectors. || <ref>{{cite web |title=Divya S Iyer |url=https://keralaliteraturefestival.com/speakerview/590/divya-s-iyer |website=Kerala Literature Festival |year=2026 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref>
|-
| 2025 || Precious Daughter of India Award || Government of [[Rajasthan]] || Long-standing commitment to social welfare and public administration. ||<ref>{{cite web |title=Daughters are Precious Awards 2017 By eHealth Network |url=https://ehealth.eletsonline.com/2018/01/daughters-are-precious-awards-2017/ |website=Elets eHealth |date=9 January 2018 |access-date=4 March 2025 }}</ref>
|}

==Discography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Song !! Film / album / for !! Language !! Ref
|-
|2016
|"Azhakerum Nadinu Chithram"
|''[[Election Commission of India|SVEEP]]''
| Malayalam
| |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/music/assistant-collector-sings-to-raise-poll-awareness-english-news-1.989947|author=H Harikrishnan |title=Assistant Collector sings to raise poll awareness|date=26 April 2016|publisher=Mathrubhumi|access-date=27 July 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413124341/http://english.mathrubhumi.com:80/movies-music/music/assistant-collector-sings-to-raise-poll-awareness-english-news-1.989947 |archive-date=13 April 2016 }}</ref>
|-
|2016
|"Ethirkalam Nam Kayyil"
|''[[Election Commission of India|Election Commission of India - Tamil Nadu]]''
| Tamil
| |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/kottayam-ias-offcier-dr-divya-iyer-composed-a-song-for-tn-assembly-election/articleshow/52254564.cms|language=ta|author=Anbarashi C|title=என் வாக்கு!! என் எதிர்காலம்: பாடுகிறார் கேரள ஆட்சியர்|publisher=Tamil Samayam|access-date=14 August 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814050939/https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/movie-news/kottayam-ias-offcier-dr-divya-iyer-composed-a-song-for-tn-assembly-election/articleshow/52254564.cms |archive-date=14 August 2021 }}</ref>
|-
|}

==Personal life==
[[File:Divya S. Iyer and K.S. Sabarinathan.jpg|thumb|Iyer with her husband K. S. Sabarinadhan]]
Divya S. Iyer is married to [[K. S. Sabarinadhan]], a politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the [[Aruvikkara (State Assembly constituency)|Aruvikkara]] constituency for the [[Indian National Congress]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Divya S Iyer-KS Sabarinadhan wedding: Kerala’s first MLA-IAS couple |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/divya-s-iyer-ks-sabarinadhan-wedding-keralas-first-mla-ias-couple-64478 |work=[[The News Minute]] |date=2017-06-30}}</ref> The couple married on 30 June 2017 at the Kumarakovil temple in [[Thuckalay]], [[Kanyakumari district]]. This was the first instance of a sitting MLA and a serving IAS officer marrying in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/congress-mla-ks-sabarinadhan-marries-kerala-ias-officer/articleshow/59381651.cms |title=Kerala MLA KS Sabarinathan marries IAS officer|work=[[The Times of India]]|author=Jisha Surya |language=en-IN|date=3 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala: Bureaucrat Marries Politician, Media Can't Stop Obsessing |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/kerala-bureaucrat-marries-politician#read-more |access-date=2 April 2021 |work=The Quint |agency=The News Minute |date=May 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sreenivasan |first1=T.P. |title=Divya-Sabari alliance: history made in heaven |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/columns/global-indian/2017/05/09/divya-iyer-sabarinadhan-marriage-bureaucracy-politics-tp-sreenivasan.html |access-date=2 April 2021 |work=OnManorama |date=May 9, 2017}}</ref>

The couple has a son, born in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=IAS officer Divya S Iyer and Sabarinadhan blessed with a baby boy |work=[[Onmanorama]] |date=2019-03-09}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Power to the Parent: Divya S Iyer on modern child-rearing |work=Mathrubhumi |date=2025-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=An officer and the gentleman: Kerala IAS officer to marry MLA |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/an-officer-and-the-gentleman-kerala-ias-officer-to-marry-mla-4639707/ |access-date=3 August 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=4 May 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG-KG69UFUI Divyas' Ted talk video about her career] (YouTube)

{{Indian civil servants}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iyer, Divya S.}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian medical doctors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women medical doctors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women civil servants]]
[[Category:Medical doctors from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Medical doctors from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian Administrative Service officers from Kerala]]
[[Category:District magistrate]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]

Divya S. Iyer - Revision history

Veirdo at 11:20, 15 April 2026