Bhubaneswar: In a landmark decision, the Odisha government has appointed senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anu Garg as the new Chief Secretary, making her the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post.
The appointment, formally notified by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, comes as the incumbent Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, retires on December 31, 2025 after a distinguished tenure. Garg is set to assume charge from January 1, 2026.
A Trailblazer in Bureaucracy
Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, brings more than three decades of administrative experience to the role. Her elevation marks a significant moment in Odisha’s governance history, reflecting both her professional merit and the growing representation of women in senior civil service leadership.
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Prior to this appointment, Garg served as the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, with oversight of key departments including Planning & Convergence and Water Resources. She also made history in February 2023 when she became the first woman Development Commissioner of Odisha — the second-highest administrative position in the state.
Rich Administrative Experience
Over her long career, Garg has handled a diverse range of portfolios at both state and central levels. Her experience spans essential areas such as:
- Health and Family Welfare
- Women and Child Development
- Labour and Employees’ State Insurance
- District-level administration as Collector/District Magistrate
- Central government roles including Joint Secretary positions in ministries and the Prime Minister’s Office during her deputation.
- Her grounding in both field administration and policy formulation has earned her wide respect within bureaucratic circles.
What Her Leadership Means
As Chief Secretary, Anu Garg will serve as the administrative head of the Odisha government, acting as the principal advisor to the Chief Minister and the cabinet. The role involves coordinating the functions of various departments, guiding policy implementation, and driving administrative reforms.
Her appointment is widely seen as a step forward for gender inclusivity, inspiring many women officers and reinforcing the belief that leadership roles at the highest level are attainable through merit and sustained public service.
With key development programs, infrastructure projects, and policy initiatives on the horizon for Odisha, Garg’s leadership at the top administrative post will be closely watched. Her blend of institutional knowledge, field experience, and policy acumen positions her to steer the state’s bureaucracy into a new chapter.