Dr. Beela Rajesh Biography: Education, Career, Age, Marriage, Achievements, Net Worth 2025

Dr. Beela Rajesh Biography

Dr. Beela Rajesh, later known as Beela Venkatesan, was one of the most respected Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from Tamil Nadu. A medical doctor by training and a bureaucrat by profession, she became widely recognized for her strong leadership and clear communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she served as the Health Secretary of Tamil Nadu. She combined her knowledge of medicine with her administrative skills to make policies, guide hospitals, and reassure millions of people during a time of fear and uncertainty.

Beyond her role in the health department, she also served in several other important positions in Tamil Nadu’s government, including Secretary of Energy and Commissioner in various departments. She came from a family of achievers: her mother was a politician, her father was a senior police officer, and she herself rose to become one of the most well-known IAS officers in the state.

Her life was not only about power and responsibility but also about resilience. She faced personal challenges, a high-profile separation from her husband, and eventually a serious illness, but through it all, she remained a dignified and hardworking officer. She passed away in September 2025 at the age of 55, leaving behind a legacy of courage, professionalism, and service.

Early Life and Family Background

Dr. Beela Rajesh was born on 15 November 1969 in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu, India. She grew up in a family that valued both education and public service.

Her father, L. N. Venkatesan, was a highly respected police officer who rose to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu. He was known for his discipline, honesty, and dedication to law and order.

Her mother, Rani Venkatesan, was also a public figure. She was a senior member of the Indian National Congress and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). As a politician, she was active in social service and worked to uplift people in her constituency.

Together, her parents gave her a strong foundation of service, leadership, and responsibility.

About her siblings, not much information has been made public, as Beela Rajesh (later Beela Venkatesan) always maintained privacy about her family life. However, it is known that she came from a well-educated and socially active family.

Growing up in such an environment shaped her personality. She inherited her father’s discipline and her mother’s empathy for people. This combination would later define her career in public administration.

Education

From a young age, Beela was a bright and ambitious student. She studied in Tamil Nadu and developed a love for science. Inspired by her interest in medicine and her desire to help people, she decided to study medicine.

She joined the prestigious Madras Medical College, one of the oldest and most respected medical schools in India. There, she completed her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree.

Her medical training gave her deep knowledge of health, hospitals, and patient care. Unlike many IAS officers who come from engineering, commerce, or humanities backgrounds, Beela entered the civil services with a strong medical foundation. This would later make her stand out as Health Secretary, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After completing her MBBS, she decided to serve the nation in a broader way. She prepared for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Examination, which is considered one of the toughest exams in India. With determination and discipline, she cleared the exam and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the 1997 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre.

Administrative Career

Beela’s administrative career spanned more than two decades, during which she held many key positions. She worked in different departments, from fisheries to municipal administration, before rising to top-level secretarial roles.

She started her IAS journey as the Sub-Collector of Chengalpattu, where she managed revenue and administrative duties in the region.
Later, she served as Commissioner of Fisheries, helping the fishing communities of Tamil Nadu.
She also worked in the Town and Country Planning Department, ensuring proper urban development and infrastructure growth.
As Commissioner of Municipal Administration, she oversaw urban local bodies and municipal governance.
One of her notable roles was serving as Commissioner for Indian Medicine and Homeopathy. In this position, she promoted traditional Indian medical systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Homeopathy. This role matched her medical background and showed her interest in combining modern and traditional healthcare.
In February 2019, Beela Rajesh was appointed Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department in Tamil Nadu. This became the most defining role of her career.
As Health Secretary, she launched the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), which digitalized patient records and improved hospital management.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020, she became the face of Tamil Nadu’s health response. Almost every day, she appeared on television and in newspapers, giving updates, explaining safety measures, and reassuring the public. Her calm and confident presence made people trust the government’s actions.
She guided hospitals, arranged testing facilities, ensured the availability of beds and medicines, and coordinated with doctors and health workers. Her medical background helped her understand the crisis better than most administrators.
During this time, she became a household name in Tamil Nadu. Many people appreciated her for her clear communication and tireless work.
After her work as Health Secretary, she continued to hold important positions:
- In June 2020, she was appointed as the Secretary of Commercial Taxes and Registration Department.
- In June 2023, she was made the Secretary of Energy Department of Tamil Nadu. This was another challenging role, as energy is a crucial sector for the state’s economy.
- In July 2023, she was also appointed as a Part-time Official Director on the Board of NLC India Limited, a major public sector company in the energy sector.

Through all these roles, she showed versatility and the ability to handle very different fields, from health to taxation to energy.

Achievements

COVID-19 Leadership: She became the trusted voice of Tamil Nadu during the pandemic. Her medical background gave her credibility, and her communication style built confidence among people.
Hospital Management Information System: She modernized Tamil Nadu’s hospitals by introducing digital record-keeping through HMIS.
Administrative Versatility: She successfully handled departments as different as fisheries, taxation, energy, and health.
Public Trust: She earned respect not just as a bureaucrat but as a leader who cared for people.
Women in Leadership: As one of the senior-most women IAS officers, she inspired many young women to join the civil services.

Personal Life

In 1992, she married Rajesh Das, a senior IPS officer in Tamil Nadu. The marriage, however, went through difficulties, and they later separated.

In December 2023, she legally changed her name from Beela Rajesh to Beela Venkatesan, taking her father’s name. This was a personal choice that symbolized her independence and closeness to her family.

Despite her busy professional life, she was known to be warm, approachable, and deeply attached to her parents.

Illness and Death

In her later years, Beela fought a serious illness. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent treatment. Despite her health struggles, she continued to serve in top government roles until the very end.

On 24 September 2025, she passed away in Chennai at the age of 55 (some reports mention 56). Her death was widely mourned across Tamil Nadu. Political leaders, colleagues, and ordinary citizens paid tribute to her service and dedication.

Net Worth

As an IAS officer, Beela earned her income mainly from her government salary and allowances. She also had some official roles in public sector companies such as NLC India Limited.

While exact figures are not made public, her estimated net worth at the time of her passing was believed to be around ₹3–4 crore (USD 350,000–500,000), mostly in the form of savings, government benefits, and assets declared as part of IAS service rules. Unlike many public figures, she lived a modest lifestyle focused on service rather than wealth.

Legacy

Dr. Beela Rajesh, or Beela Venkatesan, will be remembered as:

A doctor turned administrator who used her knowledge for public good.
A strong leader during the pandemic who became a reassuring face in a time of fear.
A trailblazing woman in the IAS, showing that women can lead in the toughest times.
A public servant who valued honesty, hard work, and humanity above everything else.

Her life story is an inspiration for students, aspiring civil servants, and anyone who believes in the power of service.

Conclusion

Dr. Beela Rajesh, later known as Beela Venkatesan, lived a life that perfectly combined knowledge, discipline, and service. From being a young medical student at Madras Medical College to becoming one of Tamil Nadu’s most respected IAS officers, her journey was full of dedication and commitment. She proved that true leadership is not just about holding high positions but about using them to help people, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her story is also one of courage. She faced personal challenges, worked in tough government departments, and even battled a serious illness, yet she never allowed these struggles to stop her from serving the public. She remains an inspiration for students, professionals, and future administrators who wish to make a difference in society.

Her legacy will live on as that of a doctor, an administrator, and above all, a servant of the people who always put duty above self.