The man in charge of Lucknow’s administration right now is Vishak G Iyer. He’s a 2011-batch IAS officer who took over the top job in January 2025. Born in Idukki, Kerala, this 47-year-old administrator brings a wealth of experience from his previous postings across multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Vishak isn’t new to big challenges. Before landing in Lucknow, he served as District Magistrate in places like Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Kanpur, and Aligarh. His educational background is pretty solid too—he’s got a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from MG University College of Engineering, Thodupuzha, plus a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Oxford University’s Said Business School.
District Magistrates of Lucknow
What makes him stand out? People who’ve worked with him describe his energetic style and ability to get things done in difficult situations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath clearly trusts him with important assignments.
What’s on His Plate in Lucknow?
When Vishak took charge on January 19, 2025, he had a clear vision. During his first days in office, he talked about three main priorities:
Traffic Management: Lucknow’s roads can get pretty chaotic, especially during rush hours. He’s made it clear that fixing traffic congestion is a top concern.
Interdepartmental Coordination: Getting different government departments to work together smoothly sounds boring, but it’s actually crucial for getting anything done quickly.
Development Projects: The city has several ongoing development initiatives, and he wants to speed them up rather than let them drag on for years.
In May 2025, Vishak visited GD Goenka School and spent time talking to students about stress management, mental health, and career planning. He advised students not to rush into career decisions just because of peer pressure and emphasized that learning continues throughout life. This kind of direct engagement shows his approach—he’s not just sitting in his office signing files.
Five Previous District Magistrates and Their Contributions
1. Surya Pal Gangwar (2022-2025)
A 2009-batch IAS officer from Bareilly, Surya Pal served as Lucknow’s DM for about three years before being promoted to Secretary to the Chief Minister in January 2025.
Major Initiatives:
- Launched an innovative traffic management program requiring schools to set up traffic control rooms on campus with nodal officers
- Made schools create master plans for smooth traffic flow during opening and closing times
- Mandated parking arrangements inside school premises or nearby locations
- Trained security personnel through the police department to manage vehical movement
- Took strict action against hospitals overcharging COVID-19 patients
Surya Pal holds a B.Tech degree from IIT Roorkee and worked with companies like Air India Limited before joining civil services. He appeared for UPSC four times before achieving his IAS rank in 2009.
2. Abhishek Prakash (2019-2022)
An IAS officer who handled Lucknow during particularly challenging times, including the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major Contributions:
- Managed Lucknow’s administration during the first wave of COVID-19
- Coordinated with authorities on security measures in courts
- Supervised internet service management during sensitive periods
- Worked on assessment of damages during civil unrest
- Implemented various public safety protocols
He tested positive for COVID-19 in April 2021, which led to a temporary change in administration.
3. Roshan Jacob (Acting DM, April-June 2021)
Though she served as acting DM for just about 45 days, Roshan Jacob made a tremendous impact during Lucknow’s darkest COVID-19 period.
Remarkable Achievements:
- When she took charge on April 17, 2021, Lucknow was recording 6,000 COVID cases daily with a 50% positivity rate
- By the time she left on June 2, 2021, cases had dropped to just 100 per day with less than 1% positivity
- Reformed the integrated command center that was struggling with a massive backlog—276 calls would come in by 3 pm but only one person would get hospital admission
- Within two weeks of May, the command center achieved zero pendency
- Filed FIRs against hospitals found overcharging patients by up to 882% above government-approved rates
- Monitored oxygen tankers in real-time and checked hospital pipelines for wastage
- Personally visited homes and hospitals to ensure help reached people
A 2004-batch IAS officer from Kerala, Roshan became the first woman Mining Director in UP in 2020 and is also the first Indian woman to write a book in Mandarin Chinese. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath publicly praised her work during this crisis period.
4. Kaushal Raj Sharma (2017-2019)
A 2006-batch IAS officer who later became famous for his work in PM Modi’s constituency Varanasi. Before that, he served as Lucknow’s DM.
Key Contributions:
- Ordered schools to adjust timings during cold waves—classes for nursery to 8th standard would start at 9 am instead of earlier times during December-January
- Focused on administrative efficiency and crisis management
- Later went on to oversee major infrastructure projects in Varanasi including the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor
- Received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2022
- Became Secretary to CM in April 2025 before being sent on central deputation to Delhi in May 2025
Born in Bhiwani district, he holds a B.Tech in Textile Engineering and an MA in Public Policy.
5. Earlier Administration (2016 and before)
The district has seen numerous capable administrators over the decades. The official records show a long list of DMs going back to 1946, starting with Mr. A.D Pandit (ICS) who served from October 1946 to May 1948.
Each DM has contributed to building the administrative foundation that keeps this capital city functioning smoothly.
Role and Responsibilities of the District Magistrate
The DM of Lucknow wears many hats. As the chief administrative officer, the position involves:
- Law and Order: Maintaining peace and security across the district
- Revenue Collection: Overseeing property records and collecting revenue for the central government
- Development Oversight: Coordinating infrastructure projects and ensuring timely completion
- Disaster Management: Leading the district’s response during emergencies, whether natural disasters or health crises
- Election Supervision: Conducting free and fair elections at all levels
- Public Grievances: Addressing complaints and resolving citizen issues through regular hearings
The DM’s office is located at Room No. 49, Collectorate Bhawan, Qaiserbagh, Lucknow. The district has five tehsils—Sadar, Mohanlalganj, Bakshi ka Talab, Malihabad, and Sarojini Nagar—each headed by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate who reports to the DM.
How the Position Works
Lucknow district covers an area of 2,528 square kilometers with a population of about 4.59 million people (as per recent data). The DM reports to the Divisional Commissioner of Lucknow, who currently is Mukesh Meshram.
IAS officers posted as DM Lucknow typically serve for 2-3 years before being transferred to other positions or districts. This rotation helps bring fresh perspectives while also ensuring officers gain diverse experience across different regions.
The position requires balancing political pressures, bureaucratic protocols, public expectations, and ground realities—all while maintaining neutrality and efficiency. It’s not an easy job, but the officers who’ve held this post have generally risen to the challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I contact the District Magistrate’s office?
You can reach the DM’s office at 0522-2623024 or 0522-2625653. The mobile number is 9415005000, and the email is dmluc@nic.in.
What should I do if I have a complaint or grievance?
The DM holds regular public hearings (Janta Darshan) where citizens can present their issues directly. You can also file complaints through the district administration website or visit the collectorate office at Qaiserbagh.
How often do District Magistrates change in Lucknow?
Typically, a DM serves for 2-3 years, though this can vary based on administrative needs and government decisions. Some DMs have served longer, while others have had shorter tenures.
What’s the difference between DM and Municipal Commissioner?
The District Magistrate handles overall district administration including rural areas, revenue, and law enforcement. The Municipal Commissioner (currently Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, appointed in August 2020) manages city-specific urban services like waste management, water supply, and municipal taxes within Lucknow Municipal Corporation limits.
Can the DM overrule other officials?
Within the district hierarchy, the DM is the highest-ranking officer and can issue directives to subordinate officials. However, they also report to the Divisional Commissioner and must follow state government policies.
What qualifications do you need to become a DM?
You need to clear the UPSC Civil Services Examination and become an IAS officer. After years of service in various positions, you become eligible for posting as a District Magistrate.
Does the current DM live in Lucknow?
Yes, district magistrates typically reside in the district they’re serving. Vishak G Iyer is currently based in Lucknow, though his wife Apoorva Dubey, also an IAS officer (2013 batch), serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Aligarh Development Authority.
How does the DM handle emergency situations?
The DM serves as the district’s chief disaster management officer and coordinates with police, health departments, fire services, and other agencies during emergencies. Roshan Jacob’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in 2021 is a prime example of effective emergency management.
Can I meet the DM personally?
The DM holds regular public hearings where citizens can meet and present their issues. You may need to register beforehand or arrive during designated hours. For urgent matters, you can also write to the DM’s office.
Lucknow, as the capital of Uttar Pradesh, requires strong administrative leadership. The District Magistrate plays a crucial role in keeping this historic city running smoothly while pushing forward development initiatives. From managing traffic chaos to handling health emergencies, each DM brings their unique strengths to this demanding position.
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