New Delhi: In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has transferred senior IAS officer Ankur Garg (AGMUT cadre, 2003 batch) from Arunachal Pradesh and appointed him as Advisor to the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH&DD).
The decision was part of a wider administrative move by the Union Government, which also saw H Rajesh Prasad, a 1995-batch IAS officer, appointed as the Chief Secretary of Chandigarh.
Who Is IAS Ankur Garg?
Ankur Garg is one of the most distinguished IAS officers of his generation. Belonging to the AGMUT cadre, he topped the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2002 at the remarkable age of 22, securing All India Rank (AIR) 1 on his first attempt.
At the time, he was the youngest candidate to ever top the UPSC exam.
Academic Excellence: From IIT to Harvard
Ankur Garg’s academic credentials are as impressive as his civil services record:
- B.Tech in Electrical Engineering – Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi (1998–2002)
- M.I.D.P. (Master in International Development Policy) – Harvard University (2018–2020)
While at Harvard, Garg excelled as a macroeconomist, earning 171 out of 170 points — a rare distinction.
Career Highlights
Before his recent transfer, Ankur Garg was serving as the Commissioner of Economics & Statistics Department in Arunachal Pradesh. His career has included:
- Administrative roles across various UTs and northeastern states
- Significant contributions in economic policy and governance reforms
- Known for his data-driven and technology-oriented approach to administration
He is also proficient in multiple languages, including Bengali, English, French, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Personal Life and Public Presence
Ankur Garg hails from Patiala, Punjab. He is married to Swati Sharma, and the couple has two sons. Known for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, he is also active on social media, particularly Twitter, where he shares insights from his professional and personal life. He currently has over 12.4K followers on the platform.
What This Appointment Means
As Advisor to the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Ankur Garg is expected to play a crucial role in shaping administrative strategies, enhancing governance frameworks, and driving development initiatives in the Union Territory.
Given his track record and academic depth, this move is seen as a strategic placement by the MHA to leverage his capabilities in a UT with complex governance dynamics and development needs.
