Senior IAS Officer Sanjay Kaul Appointed as MD & CEO of GIFT City, Gandhinagar.
Appointment
In mid-July 2025, the Government of Gujarat appointed Sanjay Kaul, a 2001-batch Kerala cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIFT City Company Ltd, Gandhinagar, effective from the date he assumes charge. His tenure is fixed for three years or until further orders.
- Until he formally takes over, retired IAS officer Tapan Ray will continue as Acting MD of GIFT City. The appointment notification was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), Gujarat government, following a requisition request sent to the Centre earlier in July 2025.
- Currently on central deputation, Sanjay Kaul is serving as Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Culture, where he oversees portfolios such as International Cultural Relations, UNESCO and Intangible Cultural Heritage, Libraries & Schemes, and institutes like the Asiatic Society and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies.
Main Point :- (i) Kaul, originally from Vadodara, Gujarat, had served in Gujarat administration (2011–2016) under inter‑state deputation, heading key departments like Tourism Corporation of Gujarat, Gujarat Informatics Ltd, ports, industries, finance, home, and power. His broad administrative experience across governance verticals is considered vital for steering GIFT City’s strategic evolution.
(ii) GIFT City—Gujarat International Finance Tec‑City—is India’s first operational greenfield smart city and international financial services centre, envisioned to compete with global hubs like Singapore and Dubai. Established in 2015 and managed by GIFT City Company Ltd under MoU with the Gujarat government, the project has witnessed major growth, including top ranking in fintech and reputational indices as of 2025. Kaul’s appointment is expected to lead the next phase of GIFT City’s global transformation.
About GIFT City Company Limited
Headquarters: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Established : 2015
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