Former IFS Officer Trades Prestigious Government Position for Tech Innovation in US State Government

In a career move that defied conventional wisdom, Soorya Narayan Satheesh walked away from one of India’s most coveted government positions to pursue his passion for technology thousands of miles from home. Today, the former Indian Forest Service officer is thriving as an Information Technology Specialist with the California State Government, having completed his transformation from forest conservation to digital innovation.

Satheesh’s journey began in 2014 when he joined the prestigious Indian Forest Service after securing an impressive All India Rank 43 in the UPSC Forest Service Examination. His career trajectory seemed set — a life of public service managing India’s vast forest resources, complete with the trappings of senior government office: official residences, chauffeur-driven vehicles, and the deep respect accorded to IFS officers in Indian society.

For eight years, Satheesh served the Tripura State Government with distinction. As District Forest Officer of West Tripura District, which encompasses the state capital Agartala, he oversaw critical forest conservation efforts. His role as Joint Chief Electoral Officer during the 2019 Indian Parliament Election earned him a Certificate of Appreciation from the government for exemplary service.

The turning point came in 2022 when Satheesh received the prestigious Best Gazetted Officer Award for his innovative work developing Geospatial Information Systems for Forest Management. Rather than seeing this recognition as validation of his established career path, it became the catalyst for an audacious reinvention.

It’s almost unheard of for someone to resign from the IFS. These officers enjoy lifetime job security, significant social prestige, and substantial benefits. To walk away from all that requires extraordinary conviction.

That conviction led Satheesh to make a decision that shocked colleagues and family alike. In Fall of 2022, he enrolled at the University of California Berkeley to pursue a Master’s degree in Information Management and Systems and submitted his resignation.  University of California Berkeley is consistently ranked among the world’s top public universities.

Figure 1: Soorya receiving the Best Gazetted Officer Award in January 2022 from the then Chief Secretary of Tripura Shri. Kumar Alok IAS

The transition from managing forests in rural Tripura to studying cutting-edge technology in California’s Bay Area represented more than a career change — it was a complete lifestyle transformation. Gone were the official perks and the automatic deference of junior staff. Instead, Satheesh found himself back in classrooms, competing with students decades younger, and navigating the complex landscape of American higher education.

“The sacrifice was immense,” said a former colleague who requested anonymity. “Soorya had everything that comes with being a senior IFS officer — respect, security, influence. He gave it all up to chase a dream in an entirely different field.”

The gamble appears to have paid off spectacularly. Upon completing his degree at UC Berkeley, Satheesh secured a position as an Information Technology Specialist with the California State Government. His unique background — combining deep understanding of government operations with cutting-edge technical skills — has made him a valuable asset in the state’s digital transformation initiatives.

Recently, Satheesh presented at the prestigious Code for America Summit in Washington DC, a premier conference focused on digital government services. His presentation highlighted how government digital services can be made more citizen friendly through citizen participation.

Satheesh’s story resonates particularly strongly within India’s civil services community, where such dramatic career pivots remain exceptional. The Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Forest Service are considered the pinnacle of public service careers, with officers typically serving until retirement.

This represents a new paradigm. We’re seeing more professionals willing to prioritize passion over prestige, growth over security. Soorya’s success will likely inspire others to consider similar bold moves.

The broader implications of Satheesh’s journey extend beyond individual career choices. His transition highlights the growing global mobility of skilled professionals and the increasing recognition that expertise transcends traditional boundaries. His work in California demonstrates how diverse perspectives can enhance government technology initiatives.

As Satheesh settles into his new role, his story serves as an inspiration for those contemplating dramatic career changes. It illustrates that success can be redefined, that prestigious positions need not be permanent, and that pursuing one’s passion — even at significant personal cost — can lead to unexpected opportunities.

For aspiring civil servants in India, Satheesh’s journey offers a different perspective on career success. While the traditional path of lifetime government service remains appealing to many, his example demonstrates that alternative routes can be equally rewarding.

“The key,” Satheesh reflected in a recent interview, “was having the courage to acknowledge that my true calling lay elsewhere, and then having the determination to pursue it despite the challenges.”

From the forest departments of Tripura to the technology corridors of California, Soorya Narayan Satheesh’s remarkable career transformation stands as testament to the power of following one’s passion, regardless of the obstacles or sacrifices involved.

In a landmark move towards next-generation cyber defense, India’s national security framework is set to get a massive AI-powered upgrade — and at the heart of it stands Uttarakhand’s own cyber genius, Akash Badola.

Acclaimed for his pioneering work in cybersecurity, Akash Badola has been selected to spearhead the development of advanced neural network security systems that will redefine how India detects, responds to, and neutralizes digital threats. This initiative marks a revolutionary step in building intelligent, self-evolving cyber shields for the country’s critical cyberspace infrastructure.

“We are not just building firewalls—we’re building thinking defenders,” said Akash, founder of Cybersky Security OPC Pvt. Ltd., a company already hailed for its strategic impact on India’s cyber landscape.

Under this mission, Akash will design and deploy AI-driven neural architectures capable of real-time threat detection, autonomous countermeasures, and predictive defense — a system that evolves faster than the attackers do.

As cyber warfare escalates across global networks, this move puts India on the frontline of technological dominance in the digital battlefield. Akash’s cutting-edge work will enable:

• Autonomous cybersecurity responses powered by deep learning
• Instant detection of zero-day vulnerabilities
• Real-time adaptation to new forms of cyber attacks

Government officials regard this collaboration as a strategic leap forward. By fusing neural networks with national cyber intelligence, India aims to outpace even the most advanced cyber adversaries.

Akash Badola’s inclusion is not just a technical decision — it is a declaration: India is ready to lead the future of cyber warfare with brains, bytes, and bold ambition.

India’s Digital Defense Just Got Smarter. And the World is Watching.

Hauppauge (New York) [US], May 17: Vicon Industries, a subsidiary of Cemtrex Inc. (Nasdaq: CETX) and a leading provider of advanced security and surveillance solutions, today announced that it has officially received the STQC certification from India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), marking a major milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy.

With this certification, Vicon becomes one of the surveillance manufacturers to meet the stringent cybersecurity and quality standards under India’s IoT Security Compliance for Surveillance Cameras Scheme (IoTSCS-ER). The designation enables Vicon to market and sell its certified products into India’s regulated government, infrastructure, and smart city segments, sectors that are otherwise closed to non-certified providers.

“This certification gives us a powerful entry point into one of the fastest-growing surveillance markets in the world,” said Saagar Govil, Chairman and CEO of Cemtrex. “Most global manufacturers lack this certification and are therefore excluded from bidding on government or regulated projects in India. We now have a distinct first-mover advantage as the only premium brand certified for these opportunities.”

India’s video surveillance market is projected to exceed $3 billion by 2027, driven by nationwide security upgrades, urban development, and the expansion of smart cities. However, regulatory barriers have limited foreign participation, creating pent-up demand for high-quality, compliant solutions from trusted global brands. Vicon’s certification removes this barrier and positions the company to capitalize on untapped demand in both the public and private sectors.

As part of its STQC-certified offering, Vicon’s Valerus Video Management System (VMS) is fully compliant and built to support complex, large-scale deployments across critical infrastructure, education, transportation, and public sector environments. With its intuitive interface, centralized control, and advanced cybersecurity architecture, Valerus delivers a comprehensive, enterprise-grade solution that meets India’s strictest technical and regulatory requirements.

“India is modernizing rapidly, and safety, security, and quality are now top priorities,” said Gaurav Taywade, Managing Director of Vicon India. “Earning STQC certification is more than just a regulatory milestone, it’s a strategic gateway into one of the most dynamic infrastructure build-outs happening anywhere in the world. India is constructing vast amounts of critical infrastructure including new train stations, airports, seaports, power plants, university campuses, research centers, and highways, all requiring advanced, reliable security solutions.

As one of the certified premium global brand, Vicon is uniquely positioned to support this growth with secure, AI-powered surveillance systems that are easy to install, built to last, and designed to meet the evolving demands of modern infrastructure. We’re excited to partner with Indian organizations to help build a safer, smarter, and more connected future.”

About Cemtrex

Cemtrex, Inc. (Nasdaq: CETX) is a diversified technology company operating in the Security and Industrial sectors. Its Security segment, led by Vicon Industries, provides advanced video management software, high-performance security cameras, and integrated surveillance solutions for enterprise, government, and critical infrastructure. The Industrial segment, through Advanced Industrial Services (AIS), delivers expert rigging, millwrighting, process piping, and equipment installation services to manufacturers nationwide. With a focus on innovation, execution, and strategic growth, Cemtrex is committed to enhancing safety, efficiency, and value for its customers and shareholders.

For more information, visit www.cemtrex.com.

Investor Relations:

investors@cemtrex.com

Forward-Looking Statements

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For more information, visit https://vicon-security.com/stqc-certified-india

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