New Delhi: Retired Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer Upma Chawdhry (also spelled Upma Chaudhary) has been appointed Chairperson of the Metropolitan Stock Exchange (MSE), becoming the first woman to head any Market Infrastructure Institution in India. Her appointment has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
SEBI Approves Appointment to MSE Governing Board
SEBI has cleared Upma Chawdhry’s appointment as Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Metropolitan Stock Exchange. The appointment marks a significant milestone in the leadership history of India’s financial market institutions.
The MSE, established in 2008, is a key stock exchange platform facilitating trading in equities, debt, and currency derivatives.
Distinguished Career Spanning Over 35 Years
Upma Chawdhry, a 1983-batch IAS officer, retired in December 2020 after more than three decades of public service. Born in 1959, she has held several important administrative roles across sectors including:
- Finance
- Rural Development
- Education
- Industry
- Tourism
- Women empowerment
- Public sector reforms
She was also the first woman Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, in 2016.
International Experience and Global Representation
Chawdhry has represented India at several international platforms, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and has worked closely with United Nations agencies.
Between 2018 and 2021, she served as a Member of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration and chaired a working group for the UN Public Service Award.
Strong Governance Background in Financial and Institutional Roles
She has also served on multiple boards of reputed institutions and companies, contributing to corporate governance, institutional reform, and organisational development.
Her administrative expertise and policy experience are expected to strengthen MSE’s regulatory compliance, governance standards, and operational efficiency.
Leadership Role at a Transforming Financial Market
The Metropolitan Stock Exchange plays an important role in India’s capital market ecosystem by enabling trading in various financial instruments and supporting liquidity and capital formation.
Chawdhry’s leadership comes at a time when India’s financial sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technology, investor expectations, and regulatory evolution.
Focus on Market Growth and Financial Inclusion
Her tenure is expected to focus on:
- Strengthening governance and transparency
- Enhancing market infrastructure
- Promoting financial inclusion
- Improving regulatory compliance
- Boosting operational efficiency
SEBI’s approval reflects confidence in her ability to guide the exchange through evolving market challenges.
Inspirational Milestone for Women Leadership
Chawdhry’s appointment is being seen as a landmark moment for women representation in India’s financial leadership. Her career progression from public administration to leading a stock exchange highlights the growing role of women in top governance positions.
About Metropolitan Stock Exchange (MSE)
The Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India is a recognised stock exchange that provides trading platforms for equities, derivatives, debt instruments, and currency products. It plays a key role in supporting India’s financial market development and investor participation.
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