**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued a notification on August 10, 2026, regarding a change in representation on the Board of Cochin Port Authority. Under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar, IAS, has been appointed to represent the Kerala State Government, replacing Dr. A. Kowsigan, IAS. This change is effective immediately and supersedes the previous notification dated May 28, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legal Framework and Supersession**
* The appointment is made in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3(1) and Section 3(1)(c)(i) of the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
* This notification supersedes the previous Government of India notification G.S.R. No. 344(E) dated May 28, 2025.
**Personnel Appointment**
* **Appointee:** Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar, IAS, Secretary, Ports Department, Government of Kerala.
* **Outgoing Representative:** Dr. A. Kowsigan, IAS, Special Secretary, Ports Department, Government of Kerala.
* **Role:** Representative of the State Government on the Board of Cochin Port Authority.
**Effective Date and Duration**
* The appointment takes effect immediately from the date of the notification (August 10, 2026).
* The term of the appointment lasts until further orders are issued by the Central Government.
**Impact Analysis**
**Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar, IAS**
**Impact**
He is designated as the new representative of the Government of Kerala on the Board of Cochin Port Authority.
**Action Required**
Assume the responsibilities and duties associated with the Board membership of the Cochin Port Authority.
**Dr. A. Kowsigan, IAS**
**Impact**
He is replaced in his capacity as the State Government representative on the Board.
**Action Required**
Cease functions and representation duties for the Cochin Port Authority Board.
**Cochin Port Authority Board**
**Impact**
The Board's composition changes to include the current Secretary of the Kerala Ports Department.
**Action Required**
Update official records and board registers to reflect the change in state representation.
**Government of Kerala (Ports Department)**
**Impact**
The department's representation at the Major Port Authority level is updated to its Secretary-level official.
**Action Required**
Ensure the administrative transition of representation duties between the outgoing Special Secretary and the incoming Secretary.
Key Entities Referenced
Major Port Authorities Act, 2021: The primary legislation under which the appointment to the Board of the Port Authority is made.
Cochin Port Authority: The governing board to which a new representative from the State Government of Kerala has been appointed.
Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar: The IAS officer appointed as the representative of the State Government on the Board of Cochin Port Authority.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The nodal ministry responsible for the administration of major ports and issuing this notification.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-11082026-275384
CG-DxLx-xEG-I1D1H0x8x2x0 26-275384
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 655] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार, अगस्ट्त 10, 2026/श्रावण 19, 1948
No. 655] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026/SHRAVAN 19, 1948
पत्तन, पोत पररवहन और िलमाग गमत्रं ालय
(पीएचआरडी प्रभाग)
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 10 अगस्ट् त, 2026
सा.का.जन. 719(अ).— केंद्र सरकार, महापत्तन प्राजधकरण अजधजनयम, 2021 की धारा 3 की उप-धारा (1) द्वारा
प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए और पत्तन, पोत पररवहन और िलमागग मंत्रालय (पीएचआरडी प्रभाग), भारत सरकार
की दिनांक 28 मई, 2025 की अजधसूचना सा. का. जन. सख्ं या 344 (असा.) के अजधक्रमण में, एतद्द्वारा महापत्तन प्राजधकरण
अजधजनयम, 2021 की धारा 3 (1) (ग) (i) के अंतगगत डॉ. ए. कौजसगन, भा.प्र.से., जविेष सजचव, पत्तन जवभाग, केरल सरकार
के स्ट्थान पर डॉ. रतन य.ू केलकर, भा.प्र.स.े, सजचव, पत्तन जवभाग, केरल सरकार को तत्क ाल प्रभाव से और अगल े आििे
होने तक कोजचन पत्तन प्राजधकरण बोड गके प्रजतजनजध के रूप म ेंजनयुि करती ह।ै
[फा. स.ं एलबी-11013/1/2021-श्रम-पार्ग(2)]
संिीप गुप् ता, संयुि सजचव
6162 GI/2026 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(PHRD Division)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 10th August, 2026
G.S.R. 719(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Major Port
Authorities Act 2021, and in supersession of the Notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping
& Waterways (PHRD Division) G. S. R. No. 344(E) dated 28th May, 2025, the Central Government hereby appoints,
Dr. Rathan U. Kelkar, IAS, Secretary, Ports Department, Government of Kerala, in place of Dr. A. Kowsigan, IAS,
Special Secretary, Ports Department, Government of Kerala, as a representative of State Government on the Board of
Cochin Port Authority under section 3(1)(c)(i) of Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 with immediate effect and until
further orders.
[F. No. LB-11013/1/2021-Labour-Part (2)]
SANDEEP GUPTA, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.