Bhubaneswar: In Odisha, speculation is rife that IAS Anu Garg may be appointed as the next Chief Secretary if the current Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, is not granted another extension. Ahuja, a 1990 batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, received a one-year extension in December 2024, allowing him to serve until 31st December 2025. He assumed office as Chief Secretary on 1st July 2024, shortly after the BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi took charge on 12th June 2024.
Anu Garg: Career Highlights
Anu Garg, a 1991 batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, made history in February 2023 by becoming the first woman IAS officer to hold the post of Odisha Development Commissioner. She replaced Pradeep Jena as Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning and Convergence Department, making her the second-highest-ranked bureaucrat in the state.
She has also served as:
- Principal Secretary, Water Resources
- Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development
- Principal Secretary, Labour and ESI
- Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health and Family Welfare
At the central government level, Anu Garg served as:
- Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister (2012–2015)
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles (2015–2017)
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
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Education and Early Life
Born on 1st March 1969 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Anu Garg holds:
- B.A. from Delhi University
- M.A. in Sociology from Lucknow University
Master of Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, receiving the John C. Hume Award for Excellence and Promise
She also trained at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Public Administration (1991–1993).
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 promoted Anu 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.
Potential Chief Secretary Appointment
If Manoj Ahuja is not granted another extension after 31st December 2025, Anu Garg is widely believed to be the likely choice to assume the role of Chief Secretary of Odisha, the highest bureaucratic position in the state.
