Table 1.

Official Rank/Position of interviewees and their functions and roles.

Rank of the Respondent	Functions and Roles
1. Additional District Magistrate (ADM)	Is second in command in the district and assists the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner/District Collector (DM/DC, henceforth DM). In charge of revenue administration and mainly deals with civil supplies, land matters and disaster management. Are appointed through the Indian National or State Civil Services Examinations.
2. Tehsildar	Junior to ADM, responsible for collection of land revenue and also delivery of relief in times of disasters. Are appointed through State Civil Services Examinations.
3. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)	A district is usually divided into sub-divisions, with an SDM with responsibilities related to land revenue, magisterial (e.g. enquiries into unnatural and custodial deaths) and disaster management (related to relief and rehabilitation operations). Appointed through State Civil Service Examinations.
4. Head of Village (locally known as Sarpanch or Pradhan). In Kerala known as Panchayat President	The Panchayat is chaired by the Sarpanch, who is an elected representative in charge of overall development of the village and coordination with district administration.
5. Kudumbashree Leader and Mentor	Resource person in charge of all districts in Kerala, responsible for training and project implementation related to women empowerment.

Civil Servants in India refer to career bureaucrats who are appointed as part of the executive branch of the government. They are selected through Civil Services Examinations, a nationwide competitive exam.