Anu Garg Appointed as Odisha’s First Woman Chief Secretary
Historic Leadership Change Marks a New Chapter in Odisha Administration
Bhubaneswar: Anu Garg on Wednesday assumed charge as the Chief Secretary of Odisha, becoming the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post. A 1991-batch IAS officer, Garg took over from outgoing Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, marking a historic moment in Odisha’s administrative history.
Her appointment is being seen as a major milestone for women’s leadership in governance and reflects the state government’s emphasis on experience-driven and inclusive administration.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Anu Garg on assuming office and described her elevation as a landmark moment for Odisha. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that her appointment as the first woman Chief Secretary showcases the government’s commitment to excellence, empowerment, and progressive governance.
He expressed confidence that Garg’s vast administrative experience and clear vision would help Odisha achieve new heights of development in the coming years.
The Chief Minister also praised outgoing Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja for his dedicated service, stating that his tenure was marked by strong leadership and unwavering commitment to the state’s administration.
After taking charge, Anu Garg interacted with mediapersons and outlined her priorities as Chief Secretary. She said that effective implementation of Odisha’s Vision 2036 document would be a key focus area, aligning the state’s growth plans with the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
She underlined the importance of women and youth empowerment, ease of doing business, and inclusive development as pillars of Odisha’s future growth. Garg said she remains fully committed to accelerating development while ensuring transparent and responsive governance.
Before her appointment as Chief Secretary, Anu Garg served as the Development Commissioner of Odisha and also held the post of Additional Chief Secretary. Over the years, she has handled several key departments, including Water Resources, Planning and Convergence.
She earlier served as Secretary to the Health and Family Welfare Department from 2008 to 2012 and later worked as Principal Secretary in the Labour and Women and Child Development departments. Her extensive experience across social, economic, and infrastructure sectors is expected to strengthen policy execution at the highest level.
Outgoing Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja chaired a meeting of all departmental secretaries before formally handing over charge to Anu Garg. Officials described the transition as smooth and well-coordinated, ensuring continuity in governance and administration.
Ahuja’s tenure saw key initiatives in administrative reforms, development planning, and inter-departmental coordination. The state government acknowledged his contribution and wished him success in his future responsibilities.
With Anu Garg taking charge, Odisha enters a new phase in its administrative journey. Her appointment not only breaks a long-standing gender barrier but also sets a strong example of merit-based leadership in public service.
As the state moves towards its long-term development goals, expectations are high that Anu Garg’s leadership will help strengthen governance, promote inclusive growth, and guide Odisha steadily towards its vision for 2036 and beyond.
