Athar Amin Zargar

Athar Amin Zargar (born 27 November 1985) is a KAS officer who hails from the Kashtigarh area of Doda district in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He previously held the position of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and also held the additional charge of Sub Registrar at Thathri. He is the recipient of the Best Implementation Award for best implementation of GEO MGNREGA throughout India, announced for the year 2018-19 by the Government of India.

Athar completed his early education at Sainik School in Nagrota in 2003. He became the part of the youth wing of the National Cadet Corps as captain for 7 years. He went on to pursue a B. Tech. in civil engineering from the National Institute of Technology Srinagar, where he graduated with an impressive 8.99/10 GPA and secured the 2nd rank in his class of 75.

As of August 2023, Zargar is currently studying for a Master of Public Administration at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in National University of Singapore.

After completing his B. Tech., Athar began his professional career as a project engineer at Hindustan Construction Company in Leh, Ladakh. There, he worked on the construction of dams and diversion tunnels for hydropower projects. He then moved on to work as a senior engineer at the Public Works Department, Chenab Valley, where he worked on constructing bridges, buildings, and roads.

In 2013, Athar took on a new role as an additional director in the Department of Industries and Commerce, Jammu & Kashmir. In 2015, Athar moved to the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Jammu and Kashmir, where he worked as Assistant Director.

In 2017, Athar became the Block development officer (BDO) and worked in the Ministry of Rural Development (India). He was posted as Block Development Officer in Kahara area. He became the recipient of the Best Implementation Award for best implementation of GEO MGNREGA throughout India, announced for the year 2018-19 by the Government of India. The GEO MGNREGA program is a government initiative that aims to provide employment and livelihood opportunities to rural communities through the development of infrastructure and other public works. As a Block Development Officer, Athar Amin Zargar was responsible for overseeing the implementation of this program in Kahara and ensuring that it was executed in an efficient and effective manner.

In 2020, Athar was promoted as sub-divisional magistrate and also hold the position of Sub Registrar at Thathri, working for the government of Jammu and Kashmir. He has been responsible for maintaining law and order and executing welfare schemes and services of the government at ground zero. As of April 2023, he is currently serving as sub-divisional magistrate at Thathri.

Athar Amin Zargar was born on 27 November 1985 in Kastigarh village of Doda district.