Historic! Anu Garg assumes charge as Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary
The 1991-batch IAS officer Anu Garg today assumed charge as the Chief Secretary of Odisha, marking a significant milestone in the state's administrative history.
Bhubaneswar: The 1991-batch IAS officer Anu Garg today assumed charge as the Chief Secretary of Odisha, marking a significant milestone in the state’s administrative history. With this appointment, she becomes the first woman Chief Secretary of Odisha.
Anu Garg succeeds 1990-batch IAS officer Manoj Ahuja, who served as Chief Secretary from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2025.
Notably, Anu Garg is set to have a tenure exceeding three years, with eligibility to remain in office until 31 March 2029, making it one of the longer tenures for the state’s top bureaucratic post.
In her reaction, she said, “It’s a big opportunity and an important duty I assumed today. We have created a vision document, Odisha @ 2036 and India @ 2047, and it’s our foremost duty to make this dream a reality.”
Garg emphasised collective efforts, women empowerment, youth empowerment, and ease of doing business.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated her. “Congratulations to Smt. Anu Garg on assuming the office of Chief Secretary of Odisha. Her appointment as the first woman to lead the State’s civil services is a historic milestone that reflects our commitment to excellence and empowerment. I am sure that her vast experience and vision will drive Odisha to scale new heights of development,” he wrote on his X handle.
Majhi also expressed his agratitude and best wishes to Manoj Ahuja on his superannuation. “His tenure as Chief Secretary has been marked by exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to the State’s administration,” the CM stated.
“As one chapter of dedicated service concludes and a historic new one begins, I wish both Smt. Garg and Shri Ahuja the very best in their future endeavors,” he added.
