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Odisha Appoints First Woman Chief Secretary
24 Dec
Summary
- Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer, becomes Odisha's first woman Chief Secretary.
- She previously served as Development Commissioner, a role she also pioneered.
- Garg succeeds Manoj Ahuja, who retires on December 31.
Anu Garg has been appointed the new Chief Secretary of Odisha, marking a historic moment as the state's first female leader in its top bureaucratic post. The 1991-batch IAS officer previously held the distinction of being the first woman Development Commissioner. She officially assumes her new responsibilities on December 24, 2025, succeeding the incumbent Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, whose tenure concludes with his retirement on December 31, 2025.
Garg's distinguished career spans over three decades, encompassing significant leadership roles in state departments such as health, women and child development, and labor. Her experience also includes crucial district-level postings, serving as Collector and District Magistrate in Sambalpur and Bargarh, among other positions. Her tenure at the central administration included roles as Joint Secretary in the ministries of textiles and health, as well as serving as Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister.
