GK Arun Sundar Dayalan, also spelled Thayalan in some official records, is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2009 batch, allocated to the Tamil Nadu cadre.
Over a career spanning more than fifteen years, he has served in several significant roles across Tamil Nadu’s government machinery, including as District Collector of Tenkasi district and in senior finance and audit positions.
His appointment as Director General of Audit for the Judiciary is one of the most notable achievements of his career to date, reflecting the trust the government of Tamil Nadu has placed in his administrative capabilities and professional integrity.
Profile
| Full Name | GK Arun Sundar Dayalan |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer |
| Cadre | Tamil Nadu |
| Batch | 2009 |
| Entry Mode | Direct Recruit (DR) – UPSC Civil Services Examination |
| Current Posting | Director General of Audit (Direction of the Judiciary) – as of 2024 |
Early Life
GK Arun Sundar Dayalan’s personal background and early life details are not extensively documented in publicly available sources, consistent with the private profile maintained by most members of India’s civil services. What is known is that he pursued his academic studies with the rigour required to clear one of the world’s most competitive examinations, the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and was allocated to the Tamil Nadu cadre in the 2009 batch. His successful clearing of the UPSC examination and allocation to one of India’s most prestigious state cadres indicates an exceptionally strong academic and intellectual foundation from his formative years.
Education
GK Arun Sundar Dayalan holds educational qualifications appropriate to his entry into the Indian Administrative Service through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The specific details of his undergraduate or postgraduate degrees have not been documented in widely accessible public records. His entry into the IAS through the competitive examination route reflects a rigorous intellectual preparation across a range of subjects required by the UPSC. Following his selection, he underwent foundational training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, followed by district-level induction training in Tamil Nadu, the standard path for new IAS probationers in India.
Career
GK Arun Sundar Dayalan joined the IAS as a 2009-batch Tamil Nadu cadre officer and has built a career across several key areas of the state’s governance machinery. His career postings demonstrate a broad range of administrative experience, from district-level governance to state secretariat work and specialised audit functions.
One of his most significant early appointments was as Special Officer for the formation of Tenkasi District, a newly created district carved out of Tirunelveli district in southern Tamil Nadu. This appointment reflected his administrative capabilities and his ability to manage the complex organisational challenges involved in establishing a new district’s governmental infrastructure. He was subsequently appointed as the first Collector of Tenkasi District, a landmark responsibility that placed him at the forefront of governance for a newly formed administrative unit, a rare and significant challenge for any IAS officer.
His postings at the state secretariat level have included his service as Additional Secretary to the Government in the Finance Department, Chennai, a posting that required expertise in financial management, budget planning, and fiscal policy implementation. He was one of 21 IAS officers from the 2009 batch promoted to the Selection Grade in Tamil Nadu with effect from January 1, 2022, while serving as Additional Secretary in the Finance Department.
In 2024, GK Arun Sundar Dayalan was appointed as Director General of Audit for the Direction of the Judiciary, a specialised and senior post within Tamil Nadu’s audit framework that carries significant responsibility for ensuring financial accountability and compliance within the state’s judicial administration. This appointment represents one of the most prestigious positions he has held to date, reflecting the confidence the government of Tamil Nadu has placed in his expertise and professional integrity.
Personal Life
GK Arun Sundar Dayalan maintains a private personal profile, consistent with the conventions of IAS officers in India. Details about his family background, marital status, or personal interests are not available in publicly accessible official records. The IAS Executive Record Sheet provides professional service details but does not contain personal information of this nature.
Net Worth
As a Selection Grade IAS officer with over 15 years of service in Tamil Nadu cadre, GK Arun Sundar Dayalan draws a government salary consistent with his grade and seniority. Specific net worth information is not publicly available for officers of his posting level. His income is derived entirely from government service remuneration as governed by IAS pay scales and Tamil Nadu government allowances.
FAQs
Who is GK Arun Sundar Dayalan?
GK Arun Sundar Dayalan is a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre who has served as District Collector of Tenkasi, Additional Secretary in the Finance Department, and Director General of Audit (Direction of the Judiciary).
What cadre is GK Arun Sundar Dayalan from?
He is from the Tamil Nadu cadre of the Indian Administrative Service, 2009 batch.
What was GK Arun Sundar Dayalan’s role in Tenkasi District?
He served first as Special Officer for the formation of Tenkasi District, and subsequently as its first District Collector, a significant responsibility in establishing governance infrastructure for a newly created administrative unit.
When was GK Arun Sundar Dayalan promoted to Selection Grade?
He was promoted to the Selection Grade with effect from January 1, 2022, while serving as Additional Secretary in the Finance Department of Tamil Nadu.
Conclusion
GK Arun Sundar Dayalan’s career in the Indian Administrative Service is a study in how the IAS system develops officers through progressively challenging roles across different domains of governance. From district administration in a newly formed district to finance department secretariat work and specialised audit responsibilities at the DG level, his trajectory reflects the breadth of experience that India’s civil service system is designed to cultivate. As he continues in senior service, his body of administrative work in Tamil Nadu stands as a meaningful contribution to the governance of one of India’s most dynamic and economically significant states.