Bhubaneswar: In a historic move for gender representation in the state bureaucracy, senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anu Garg has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Odisha. The 1991-batch IAS officer will succeed outgoing Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, who retires on December 31. Garg’s appointment makes her the first woman to hold the post in Odisha and the 47th officer overall to serve as Chief Secretary.
Career Milestone: Breaking the Glass Ceiling
IAS Garg has already made history in February 2023 when she became the first woman to be appointed as Odisha’s Development Commissioner, the second-highest-ranked bureaucratic position in the state. Currently, she serves as the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary for the Planning and Convergence Department and also holds charge as Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department.
With her promotion to Chief Secretary, Garg marks a significant milestone for women in leadership positions within the state administration.
Read also: Meet IAS Anu Garg, the 1991 Batch Officer in Line for Odisha’s Next Chief Secretary
Early Life and Education
Born on March 1, 1969, Anu Garg has an impressive academic background. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, a Master’s in Sociology from the University of Lucknow, and a Master of Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA. Garg is proficient in English, Hindi, and Oriya.
Extensive Administrative Experience
Over more than three decades of service, Anu Garg has amassed wide-ranging experience at district, state, and national levels. She has held key positions, including:
State-level roles –
- Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health & Family Welfare
- Principal Secretary, Women & Child Development
- Principal Secretary, Labour & Employees’ State Insurance (ESI)
District-level roles –
- District Collector and District Magistrate of Sambalpur and Bargarh
- Additional District Magistrate and Sub-Collector in Kalahandi and Jharsuguda
National-level roles –
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles
- Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Garg was also a member of the High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) for Universal Health Coverage instituted by the Planning Commission of India.
Key Achievements
- First woman Development Commissioner in Odisha
- Founder Director of Mission Shakti, promoting women’s self-help groups
- Oversaw healthcare programs, nutrition interventions, and child protection policies
Instrumental in ease-of-doing-business initiatives and industrial worker welfare
Promotion and Recognition
The Odisha government recently promoted Ms Garg to the Apex Scale (Level-17) of IAS on 15th January 2022. Her extensive experience in both state and central administration has made her a strong contender for Odisha’s top bureaucratic post.
Personal Attributes
Fluent in English, Hindi, and Oriya, Anu Garg is recognized for her policy acumen, leadership in social sectors, and ability to drive large-scale administrative reforms.
Predecessor and Transition
Ms Garg will replace Manoj Ahuja, who assumed charge as Chief Secretary on July 1, 2024, succeeding Pradeep Kumar Jena. Ahuja’s tenure, originally set to end on December 31, 2024, was extended by one year. With Garg taking over in the new year, Odisha witnesses a historic first with a woman occupying the state’s top bureaucratic post.
Significance of Appointment
IAS Garg’s elevation to Chief Secretary is a major step for gender equality in administrative leadership and reflects Odisha’s commitment to empowering women in senior governance roles. Her extensive experience across health, labour, planning, and water resources is expected to bring a holistic and development-oriented approach to the state’s administration.
