Muzammil Khan, IAS, is not your typical bureaucrat. Ranked 22nd in the 2017 batch and now serving as the Collector of Khammam, he recently captured hearts for his warm, grounded interaction with children at a government school—an image that spoke volumes about a man who hasn’t forgotten his roots. A teacher at heart since his student days, Muzammil brings with him not only academic excellence but a lived understanding of the struggles children face. In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer’s Deepika Pasham, he opens up about being an “unfortunate engineer,” the quiet pride of being a former IPS officer’s son, and why merit—not legacy—defines his journey. He also reflects deeply on the lessons learned from the recent floods in Khammam and the resilience that followed.
Grounded in Service
The family I come from holds high regard in the Civil Services. I first worked for Indian Railways in 2013–2014, and in nearly six months, I realised that it was not a fit for me. I then decided to attempt the IPS a second time, but luck did not work that year. In the third attempt, I had a meaningful conversation with my parents, who insisted I consider the opportunity to serve the public in a role that would allow me to create real impact. These were the driving reasons—the wisdom of my parents and my realisation that I could initiate programmes close to my heart. I understand the assumptions around being a nepotism kid because of my family background, but who can stay in this role if they are not productive? Everyone has to prove themselves. One or two opportunities may come your way, but nothing is served on a plate.
Three Years, Two Giants
I worked with Google and the State Bank of India. I graduated in 2011 and worked for three years in the private sector. I was a little confused about whether I would be a good fit for the services. Would my personality suit a public-facing role? I hesitated initially but came to understand the uniqueness that the IAS role offers.
Music Teacher’s Wake-Up Call
I was in the eleventh grade, and throughout the next four years of engineering, whenever I got the opportunity, I taught music as I played the guitar. In 2011, there was an instance at a government school. I had a rule that students must wear the correct uniform, regardless of their background. One boy and one girl did not comply. When I asked about it, they didn’t respond, but later they came to me. The boy explained his mother had been physically abused and he was awake all night, and the girl had to sleep on the footpath because their house was flooded. That moment deeply moved me. I became inclined to do something for education and health, though I wasn’t yet sure what action to take.
The Void That Money Couldn’t Fill
There is only so much that money can do for you. I was lucky enough to be doing a good job, but there was definitely a gap and a void. It was not meaningful for me. I don’t think I was living up to my dream.
Introvert in an Extrovert’s World
I was born in Nalgonda, but most of my introverted behaviour stems from my childhood, where I shifted thirteen schools in ten years. I was always the new kid, mostly in coastal Andhra Pradesh. This made me introspective and limited my social circle. I loved being with my books and a few close friends.
AK Khan—The Father, The Mentor
The pride I still take when someone addresses me is that I am the son of Abdul Khayyum Khan (AK Khan), former police officer of United Andhra Pradesh and later Telangana. He has been a wonderful father and never made us feel like he was absent or doing an important job. I remember he would sit with us from 7 to 8 PM and teach Mathematics and Science. Both my parents never missed an important family occasion.
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Mother is the backbone-
My mother is the backbone of the family, taught us all how to love unconditionally and to always take life as it comes. I’ve changed 11 schools in 10 years of schooling due to dad’s transfers, but I’ve never felt like a misfit because I’ve had her.
The Knock That Changed Everything
It is not always a smooth path. I was having interactions with aspirants at a library and had made a decision that this would be my third and final attempt—I wouldn’t write it again. On result day, I was unaware that they had been released as I had stopped checking after a certain point. Then there was a knock at the door and my father asked, “Did you check the results?” I was overwhelmed to see my name. There is luck involved in being selected from among lakhs. I still joke: if I had taken the exam again, would I have qualified? That’s the uncertainty we all face.
No Coaching, No Excuses
This was my third attempt, and I was undergoing training with a probation period in Railways, which I had secured in my earlier attempt. So my preparation happened mostly on the train as we toured various railway departments. I had a colleague who was also preparing, and we shared notes. I never took coaching. I knew my strengths, and one simple example was that I was aware my handwriting was never my strong point.
Engineer by Degree, Sociologist at Heart
I had figured out a plan that I would do research in sociology because I always say I am an “unfortunate engineer,” as earlier generations had fewer options. It was either MBBS or Engineering, and I went for the short-term choice, which was engineering—but I was never a good engineer.
An IAS Love Story
We met at the IAS training academy and it was love at first sight. Hamna Mariam is in the Indian Foreign Service. It took ten days after training for us to get cast opposite each other in a play. Till today, I thank the director because within two days we decided to get married. She’s a Malayali, and of course, convincing our families was a tough part. I told my family to meet her once and let me know. They were happy once they met her. Since she’s in foreign service, she moves a lot and we’ve had new travel experiences. She was in Paris, Delhi, and soon left for London. I only know how to say “stand” and “sit” in Malayalam, and she’s better at speaking broken Telugu.
Music, Muscles, and AI: Coping With Stress
I work out for an hour during my free time. I’ve been reading a lot more lately and getting into Artificial Intelligence, which I’m loving. Most of my reading comes from my wife, as she has a degree in English. I read books passed on by her.
Celebrating Girls, Cultivating Pride
The initiative aims to promote the importance of girl children and encourage positive societal attitudes toward their birth. District officials visit households where a girl child is born, distribute sweet boxes, and extend congratulations to the family. This initiative challenges traditional biases and fosters a culture that values and respects girls. In Khammam, a Nutrigarden allows students to grow their own vegetables for mid-day meals, which usually consisted of rice and dal.
Choosing Family, Leading with Heart
I can only speak from my experience. The initial years of field postings require a lot of hard work, especially with touring, reading, and speaking with the right people, as the learning curve is steep. But over time, you begin to identify the keystone issues in even complex programs.
Of course, this won’t always be possible, and if it becomes a contest between work and family/personal life, choose family—because I truly believe that good work comes from a happy heart. Either that, or love the work you do and be clear about why it matters, in which case the stress of imbalance is avoided at the outset.
When Khammam Flooded, the Team Rose
Speaking for the officials, several of us were posted to Khammam just prior to the floods. We were taken aback for a few hours at the outset, as the scale of flooding was a once-in-a-century phenomenon. But I’m very proud of the way the team rallied and relentlessly provided relief—often when their own personal safety and that of their families was also at risk.
We’ve learned from our experiences. There is now a flood management plan for the Munneru, similar to the one for Godavari. Early warning systems are in place. Problematic encroachments along vital drains are being cleared. Civil defence has been built up, and SDRF and other infrastructure have been established to reduce our vulnerability to flooding.
Rapid Fire:
Favourite author: J. K. Rowling. Because her Harry Potter books are foundational memories to my childhood.
Favourite hero: Ryan Reynolds, because his humour often feels like my own.
Favourite colour: It was turquoise. Now white. There’s something Freudian in there.
Favourite destination: Paris for its walks. Istanbul for its people.
Describe yourself in three words: Curious. Flâneur. Eclectic.
Favourite cuisine: Mom’s biryani. Not a cuisine, but it’s the only food I actually cherish.
