Lucknow: In a key bureaucratic reshuffle, IAS officer Aryaka Akhouri (UP cadre, 2013 batch), currently serving as District Magistrate and Collector of Ghazipur, has been appointed Special Secretary in the Department of Medical, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Ms. Akhouri, widely recognized for her effective governance and citizen-centric administration, brings a blend of grassroots administrative experience and policy-level expertise to her new role. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the leadership team in one of the state’s most critical departments.
An alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi, Ms. Akhouri holds a B.Sc. in Botany and an M.Sc. in Plant Molecular Biology, both with First Division—credentials that highlight her academic excellence and analytical capabilities. She began her civil service journey with training at the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
Over the years, Ms. Akhouri has held several key positions. She served as Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Government of India, and gained vital field experience as Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Varanasi. Her tenure as Chief Development Officer in Meerut was marked by innovative rural development initiatives.
She has also held the post of Special Secretary in the Secondary Education Department, contributing to human resource development policies at the state level. Her most recent assignments as District Magistrate of Bhadohi (2021–2022) and Ghazipur (2022–2025) have been lauded for effective crisis management, infrastructure development, and public welfare delivery.
With her extensive administrative experience and a proven track record, Ms. Akhouri is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Uttar Pradesh’s public health agenda in her new position.
