https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Who Is IAS Manoj Ahuja, the New Chief Secretary of the Odisha?

Notably, he becomes the first non-Odia in two decades to hold the position of chief secretary in Odisha.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a significant move marking the beginning of a new era under the BJP government in Odisha, the state has appointed Manoj Ahuja, a seasoned 1990-batch IAS officer, as its new chief secretary.

Mr Ahuja, who returns to his parent cadre after a central deputation since 2017, brings a wealth of administrative experience to the role. Notably, he becomes the first non-Odia in two decades to hold the position of chief secretary in Odisha.

Ahuja’s career spans pivotal roles such as Union agriculture secretary, special director of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), and chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

His diverse experience includes overseeing key departments like cooperation, steel and mines, sports and youth affairs, and food supplies and consumer welfare during his tenure with the state government.

He has served in the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and held key roles such as Joint Director (Personnel Training / Personnel & General Administration) and Commissioner & Secretary (Steel & Mines, Sports & Youth Services). He also chaired the Central Board of Secondary Education under the Ministry of Education as Secretary to the Government of India.

Ahuja’s strategic role will extend to advising on the continuation of existing state programs and the selection of senior officers and district collectors.

Ahuja is originally native to Haryana. His academic background includes a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, an MBA from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and a Masters in Public Administration (International Development) from Harvard University, USA, underscoring his multidimensional expertise.

As Odisha awaits the formation of its full ministerial team under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Ahuja’s leadership as chief secretary promises to shape the state’s governance in the coming years, reflecting the BJP’s vision for development and administration in Odisha.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
$7.4 billion for fighter jet engines
India’s $7.4B Engine Plan Aims to Break Free from Foreign Dependence - A Bold Leap Toward Atmanirbhar Defence
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
retirement
Union Government Compulsorily Retires Senior Railway Engineer After UPSC Nod | Date of Birth Discrepancy Sparked Long Legal Battle
REC Limited
Result: REC Declares ₹4.60/Share as 2nd Interim Dividend After Highest-Ever H1 PAT of ₹8,877 Cr in FY26
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVCL)
PESB Recommends Manish Pradhan as Director (Technical) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited
CCL Mine Rescue Competition 2025
CCL Hosts 39th Zonal Mine Rescue Competition 2025 Showcasing Excellence in Mine Safety
SJVN_Director_Personnel_inaugurated_
SJVN Unveils ₹36 Lakh Development and Green Initiatives at NJHPS Project Area in Himachal Pradesh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Ruchi Jat MPPSC
She Worked in Fields, Danced Ghoomar - Now She’ll Govern Districts: Ruchi Jat Cracks MPPSC 2024 with Rank 6, Becomes Deputy Collector
From a farmer's daughter in Pipalkhunta to securing 6th rank in MPPSC 2024, Ruchi Jat's inspiring journey...
VikramDeo Saryam MPPSC
He Couldn't Pay Engineering Fees, Now He’s a Deputy Collector: Meet Vikram Deo, Farmer’s Son Who Cracked MPPSC with Sheer Willpower
Vikram, a farmer’s son from Ramgovindpur, overcame financial hardships and years of setbacks to secure...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
$7.4 billion for fighter jet engines
India’s $7.4B Engine Plan Aims to Break Free from Foreign Dependence - A Bold Leap Toward Atmanirbhar Defence
Anju Yadav DySP
How Anju Yadav Overcame Social Barriers and Became a Deputy Superintendent of Police
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT