Raipur, Chhttisgarh: In a recent administrative reshuffle in Chhattisgarh, five IAS officers were transferred, including Namrata Jain, a 2019-batch IAS officer known for her inspirational journey from a Naxal-hit village in Dantewada to securing an All India Rank 12 in UPSC. As per the order issued on July 29, 2025, by General Administration Department Secretary Rajat Kumar, Jain has been transferred from CEO, District Panchayat Sukma to Additional Collector, District Raipur.
From Naxal Fire to National Service: Her Early Life
Namrata Jain’s story is nothing short of cinematic. Raised in the Geedam area of Bastar, surrounded by daily threats of Naxal violence, she did not succumb to fear. Instead, she envisioned becoming part of the system to bring about change. A turning point came during her school years when a Collector visited her school. Inspired by the officer’s speech and encouraged by her father’s words about the power of an IAS, she made civil services her mission.
Despite resistance from her family, Namrata’s mother Kiran Jain stood firmly by her side. She moved from her hometown to Durg and later Bhilai, pursuing engineering and beginning her UPSC preparation. Her first attempt in 2015 ended in failure, but her determination never wavered.
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Cracking UPSC: IPS First, IAS Next
Namrata cracked UPSC in her second attempt in 2016, securing AIR 99 and being allotted to the Madhya Pradesh cadre as an IPS officer. While training at SVP Police Academy, Hyderabad, she prepared again and in her third attempt, achieved an exceptional AIR 12, becoming the first woman from Bastar division to do so.
She chose Sociology as her optional subject and relied on online resources for guidance. She scored 1062 marks out of 2025 in the UPSC exam — 891 in written and 171 in interview — achieving a 52.44% aggregate.
Grounded in Service: Career Highlights and Philosophy
Namrata began her IAS journey on 26 August 2019. She served as Assistant Collector in Balodabazar-Bhatapara and Raipur, and later as SDM of Saraipali in Mahasamund district. Her tenure as CEO of District Panchayats in Korea and Balodabazar earned her acclaim for promoting women empowerment and grassroots development.
Currently, she also serves as Mission Director of the National Livelihood Mission, continuing her vision of inclusive development.
Symbol of Simplicity: Court Marriage with IPS Officer
Namrata also made headlines for sending a message against extravagance in Indian weddings. She married IPS officer Nikhil Ashok Rakhecha, her batchmate and friend since UPSC preparation days, in a simple court ceremony in the Mahasamund Collectorate. Nikhil currently serves as Additional SP Sukma. The couple has become a symbol of modern values and service-led leadership.
Namrata even took up the treatment responsibility of a TB patient after her marriage, showcasing her personal commitment to health and social causes.
Rooted in Chhattisgarh, Inspired by Change
Despite her family’s origins in Rajasthan, Namrata has deep roots in Chhattisgarh, where her grandfather settled in Dantewada over 55 years ago. Her father, Jhanwarlal Jain, is a small businessman, and her mother is a homemaker.
Her career so far has been defined by a hands-on approach, often seen sitting on the ground with women workers, promoting self-help groups, and listening to citizen grievances directly.
