Anu Garg Appointed Odisha’s First Woman Chief Secretary

The Odisha government has appointed senior IAS officer as the new chief secretary, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post. The appointment ends speculation over succession and comes ahead of the retirement of the incumbent chief secretary at the end of December.

Historic Appointment in State Administration

A 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, Anu Garg is currently serving as development commissioner with additional charge of the water resources department. Her elevation reflects both seniority and an established administrative track record. She will succeed Manoj Ahuja, who is due to retire on December 31. The move is being seen as a significant step towards greater gender representation in higher civil services leadership.

Extensive Experience Across Key Departments

With more than three decades of service, Garg has held several crucial portfolios in the state government. These include health and family welfare, women and child development, and labour and employees’ state insurance. At the district level, she has served as collector and district magistrate of Sambalpur and Bargarh, besides earlier stints as additional district magistrate and sub-collector in Kalahandi and Jharsuguda. Her work has spanned governance, social sector delivery, and administrative reforms.

Central Deputation and Academic Background

During her central deputation, Garg held senior roles as joint secretary in the ministries of textiles and health and family welfare, and also served as joint secretary to the Prime Minister. Academically, she is an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University and holds postgraduate degrees from the University of Lucknow and a Master of Public Health from the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, USA.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Anu Garg is a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre.
• She is the first woman chief secretary in Odisha’s administrative history.
• She earlier became the first woman development commissioner of the state in March 2023.
• The chief secretary is the senior-most civil servant in a state government.

Significance for Governance and Representation

Garg’s appointment is expected to bring continuity in administration while also symbolising progress in women’s representation at the highest levels of state governance. Her blend of state and central experience positions her to steer policy coordination and administrative efficiency during a crucial phase for Odisha’s development agenda.