Tirunellai Narayanaiyer Seshan was the 10th Chief Election Commissioner of India, serving from December 12, 1990 to December 11, 1996.
An officer of the Indian Administrative Services, he also held the posts of director, Ministry of Atomic Energy; joint secretary, Ministry of Space; secretary, Department of Agriculture; Government of Tamil Nadu; Member (Personnel), Oil & Natural Gas Commission, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Space, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Defence, and secretary, Internal Security.
He went on to occupy the post of the secretary to Cabinet - the seniormost position in the Indian civil service hierarchy, and member, Planning Commission of India, before being appointed the Chief Election Comissioner.
He won the prestigious Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 1996.
In 1997, he lost to K.R. Narayanan in his bid for the post of President of India.
