Mumbai: Sujata Saunik, a 1987-batch IAS officer, etched her name in history in June 2024 by becoming the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. However, her ascent to the top was not without setbacks—despite being the senior-most eligible officer, she was overlooked twice before finally being appointed.
In April 2023, her husband Manoj Saunik was appointed to the post, and again in January 2024, she was passed over in favour of junior officer Nitin Kareer. She eventually took charge after Kareer’s retirement and served until June 30, 2025.
A Digital Visionary in the Secretariat
During her one-year tenure, Saunik ushered in a new era of digital governance in the state administration. She introduced paperless cabinet meetings and issued iPads to all ministers to modernize bureaucratic operations.
Her most notable achievement came just days before retirement—on June 24, 2025—when she led Maharashtra’s first-ever e-Cabinet meeting, symbolizing a shift toward smarter, tech-driven administration.
Also Read: Uttarakhand Government Promotes IAS Officer Sujata Following High Court’s Contempt Warning
Breaking Barriers and Setting Precedents
Sujata Saunik’s appointment marked a watershed moment for the state. For the first time, Maharashtra saw both its top bureaucratic posts held by women—Sujata as Chief Secretary and Rashmi Shukla as Director General of Police (appointed in January 2024). This rare milestone showcased the growing representation of women in India’s administrative leadership.
Legacy of Tenacity and Transformation
Saunik’s journey reflects resilience and determination, rising above institutional gender bias to lead Maharashtra’s bureaucracy. Her policy-driven, people-oriented leadership, coupled with a strong push for administrative innovation, leaves behind a legacy that is likely to inspire future women officers in the Indian civil services.
