Mumbai/New Delhi: A remark by senior IAS officer Manisha Mhaiskar (1992 batch) alleging gender bias at the highest levels of administration has triggered a political and bureaucratic stir in Maharashtra, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Mhaiskar, currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department, stated that a Maharashtra minister had once expressed reluctance to have a woman officer head his department. The comment has drawn attention across administrative and political circles.
‘Did Not Want a Woman Secretary’: Claim from 2023 Posting Episode
The officer made the disclosure in an interview published in a souvenir for an upcoming conference of women civil servants in New Delhi.
Recalling an incident from 2023, shortly after the formation of the present government, she said that during the process of finalising postings, a political leader had indicated he did not want a woman secretary to head his department.
“In my 33-year career, this happened only once… It was shocking,” she said, highlighting that such views are rare in modern administrative functioning.
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No Minister Named, But Speculation Grows
While Mhaiskar did not name the minister involved, her statement has led to speculation in political circles.
The episode is linked to the period following the formation of the current ruling Mahayuti coalition government led by Devendra Fadnavis, with Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar as his deputies.
As of now, there has been no official response from the government regarding the claim.
‘Only Instance in 33-Year Career’
Mhaiskar emphasized that this was the only such instance of gender-based bias she had encountered in her over three-decade-long career in public service.
She noted that gender differences in administration have largely diminished over time, making the alleged remark particularly striking.
According to her, the stance effectively kept her out of consideration for that specific posting.
Views on Leadership and Administration
In the same interaction, Mhaiskar spoke about broader aspects of governance and leadership.
She highlighted the importance of:
- Effective time management
- Clear prioritisation of tasks
- Building strong and efficient teams
She stressed that administrative outcomes depend significantly on how well officers collaborate with their teams.
Mhaiskar also mentioned that her presence on social media provides her a platform to express her views more freely.
Profile: Who Is Manisha Mhaiskar
Manisha Mhaiskar (IAS: 1992: Maharashtra cadre) is a senior bureaucrat with extensive administrative experience.
- Date of Birth: March 16, 1969
- Education: LL.B.; proficient in English and Marathi
- Current Role: Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Maharashtra (since February 2, 2026)
Over her career, she has held a wide range of positions, including:
- Assistant Collector
- Deputy Commissioner
- District Collector
- Additional Municipal Commissioner
- Municipal Commissioner
- CEO and Secretary-level roles
- Principal Secretary and Director General
- Additional Chief Secretary
Her career spans more than three decades across key administrative and governance roles in Maharashtra.
Debate on Gender Representation in Governance
The remarks have reignited discussions on gender representation and equality in senior administrative positions.
While women officers have increasingly taken up leadership roles across services, the alleged incident underscores that challenges related to gender bias may still persist in isolated cases.
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