Dr. T.K. Viswanathan is a Padma Shri Awardee. He is the former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha and has four decades of distinguished career, where he served as a Lawyer, Professor, Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Law & Justice and Chairman of various committees. 

Dr. Viswanathan completed his Graduation in Arts and Law from the University of Madras. He completed his Master’s degree in Law from the University of Delhi and a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Madras. He began his career as a civil servant and served in various capacities in the Government of India. Dr. Viswanathan was appointed as the Secretary of the Legislative Department in the Ministry of Law and Justice in 2013. He has played a key role in drafting several important legislations, including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, and the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Act, 2015.

Dr. Viswanathan has also written several books and articles on various legal topics, including constitutional law, administrative law, and environmental law. He has also served as a member of various national and international committees, including the Committee on Reforms in Criminal Laws, the Committee on the Prevention of Torture, and the Law Commission of India. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of law, Dr. Viswanathan has received numerous awards and honours, including the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours.