Anu Garg becomes Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary

Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has been elevated to the post of Chief Secretary, becoming the first woman to occupy the topmost position in the Odisha bureaucracy.

Her appointment comes in the wake of the superannuation of the incumbent Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, who is set to retire on December 31, 2025.

Ms. Garg is currently serving as Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary to the Planning and Convergence Department and holds additional charge of the Water Resources Department.

Widely regarded as a trusted and capable administrator, Ms. Garg efficiently implemented several key development initiatives during the previous Naveen Patnaik-led government. Her work in the Water Resources Department, in particular, has drawn appreciation.

Following the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the State, the senior officer, with over three decades of administrative experience, continued to earn the confidence of the new political leadership through her hands-on approach, effective execution of major projects and policy guidance.

Ms. Garg hails from Uttar Pradesh and holds a Master’s degree in Sociology. Over the course of her career, she has headed key departments including Health, Water Resources, and Planning and Convergence.