Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has promoted senior IAS officer Chithra Arumugam (IAS:1995:OR) to the Apex Grade (Level-17 of the Pay Matrix), placing her in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS). The promotion order was issued by the General Administration Department on November 25, 2025.
Currently, Arumugam serves as Principal Secretary of Labour and ESI, and she also holds the additional charge of Principal Secretary, Science and Technology. She will continue to perform these responsibilities until further orders.
About Chithra Arumugam
Chithra Arumugam, born on November 3, 1968, is a 1995-batch IAS officer from the Odisha cadre. She holds M.A. and M.Phil. degrees and is proficient in English and Tamil. Her administrative experience spans multiple departments, and she is currently serving as Special Secretary at the Planning & Convergence Department before her promotion to the Apex Grade.
Nikhil Dhongari Appointed Deputy Secretary in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
In another significant bureaucratic development, Nikhil Dhongari (IRPS:2012) has been appointed Deputy Secretary in the National Health Authority – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi.
About Nikhil Dhongari
Nikhil Dhongari, a 2012-batch IRPS officer, has previously received the 66th National Railways Award (2021) for his contributions as Senior Divisional Personnel Officer, Ambala, in the category of New Innovations/Processes leading to Economies in Expenditure and Productivity Improvement.
During his tenure, the Personnel Department, Ambala division, won the Personnel Efficiency Shield twice at the Zonal level (2019-20 and 2020-21). Dhongari holds an Advanced Diploma in Intellectual Property Law from NALSAR University and a B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from JNTU Hyderabad.
Significance of the Appointments
The promotions and appointments highlight the Odisha and central government’s focus on recognizing experienced officers with proven track records in governance, innovation, and administrative efficiency. Chithra Arumugam’s elevation to Apex Grade places her among the top bureaucrats in the state, while Nikhil Dhongari’s posting strengthens the administrative capacity of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
