Shri Sunil Kumar Verma: Profile, Career & Achievements

Introduction

Not many public servants in India have had a career as distinguished and multifaceted as Shri Sunil Kumar Verma. A decorated officer of the Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers (IRRSE) from the 1994 batch, he has held various pivotal roles in both the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). From implementing technical quality policies to handling administrative leadership roles, Mr. Verma’s journey stands as a paragon of commitment, brilliance, and transformative leadership.

Early Life and Academic Brilliance

Schooling and Family Background

While not much is publicly disclosed about Shri Verma’s early schooling, his educational journey started in Uttar Pradesh, where he showed exceptional academic potential from a young age.

Graduation with a Gold Medal from MMMEC, Gorakhpur

• College: Madan Mohan Malaviya Engineering College (now MMMUT)
• Branch: Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering
• Achievement: Gold Medalist

This foundational achievement laid the groundwork for his entry into India’s top technical services.

Postgraduate Studies at IIT Roorkee

• Degree: Master of Engineering (ME)
• Institution: IIT Roorkee (formerly University of Roorkee)
• This advanced degree enriched his technical acumen and prepared him for higher responsibilities in engineering and policy-making.

Entry into Indian Railway Services

Joining IRRSE – 1994 Batch

• Selected through the Engineering Services Examination (ESE).
• Inducted into the IRRSE, a prestigious engineering cadre responsible for India’s railway signalling and telecom infrastructure.

Role and Responsibilities in Indian Railways

• Managed critical signalling projects.
• Oversaw telecom upgrades and safety mechanisms across divisions.

Experience at Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow

Executive Director Role

At RDSO Lucknow, he served as Executive Director, where his primary role was overseeing design validation and setting quality benchmarks for Indian Railways.

Contributions to Quality Policy

• Championed quality control protocols.
• Aligned RDSO standards with international railway safety norms.

Achievements at RDSO

• Established measurable quality metrics.
• Participated in the development of signal automation systems.

International Exposure and Leadership Training

Training at INSEAD, Singapore

One of the world’s leading business schools, INSEAD helped Mr. Verma develop global perspectives in strategy and management.

Executive Development at ICLIF, Malaysia

This training enhanced his capabilities in:

• Public sector governance
• Strategic planning
• Crisis management

Key Learnings from Global Programs

• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Data-driven policymaking
• Governance with transparency

Administrative Leadership in Railways

Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) Role

• Location: Mughalsarai (now Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Division)
• Managed:
  • 5,000+ employees
  • Daily operations of one of India’s busiest railway divisions

Impact at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Division

• Streamlined operations
• Introduced efficiency reforms
• Focused on staff welfare and public grievance redressal

Transition to Department of Telecommunications

Appointment as Joint Secretary

• Joined DoT, Ministry of Communications
• Took charge of administrative affairs as Joint Secretary (A)

Policy Contributions in DoT

• Advocated reforms in BharatNet
• Monitored spectrum allocation and telecom infrastructure roll-out

Strategic Initiatives and Reforms

• Encouraged 5G preparedness
• Supported Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for rural telecom expansion

Government Nominee Director at ITI Ltd

Role in ITI Ltd

• Appointed as Government Nominee Director
• Oversaw strategic initiatives for the PSU

Premature Repatriation and Implications

• Order Date: 19 May 2025
• Effective Relieving Date: 21 May 2025
• As per DoT Office Order No. 343/2025

Notable Contributions and Legacy

27+ Years of Service Overview

• Served in various capacities in:
  • Ministry of Railways
  • Department of Telecommunications
• Balanced technical proficiency with administrative insight

Technological & Administrative Excellence

• Brought innovation to signal engineering
• Strengthened digital governance frameworks in telecom

Timeline of Key Positions Held

Year	Position	Department
1994	Joined IRRSE	Ministry of Railways
2012	Executive Director, RDSO	RDSO, Lucknow
2016	ADRM, Mughalsarai Division	Ministry of Railways
2021	Joint Secretary (A), DoT	Ministry of Communications
2023-2025	Government Nominee Director, ITI Ltd	DoT / PSU

Awards, Recognitions & Affiliations

• Gold Medal in B.Tech (MMMEC)
• Alumni of IIT Roorkee
• Global alumnus of INSEAD Singapore & ICLIF Malaysia
• Key contributor to telecom policy and signalling innovation

Statistical Snapshot of His Career

Attribute	Value
Years of Experience	27+ years
Major Ministries Served	2 (Railways, Communications)
Major Training Programs	3+ (INSEAD, ICLIF, RDSO)
Key Designations Held	5+
Divisions Managed	1, covering 5,000+ employees

Conclusion

Shri Sunil Kumar Verma’s legacy is a masterclass in public service. From excelling academically to leading critical reforms in Indian Railways and Telecommunications, his journey is proof that dedicated governance can drive impactful change. As he returns to his parent cadre in the Ministry of Railways, his experience will undoubtedly continue to enrich public policy and technological advancement in India.

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