In a landmark decision for the state's administrative history, the Odisha government has appointed senior IAS officer Anu Garg as its next Chief Secretary. This appointment marks the first time a woman will hold the top bureaucratic post in the state.
A Historic Appointment for Odisha
The notification for this significant appointment was issued by the state's General Administration and Public Grievances Department. Anu Garg, an officer of the 1991 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), is set to take over the reins from the outgoing Chief Secretary, Moj Ahuja. Ahuja is scheduled to retire from service on December 31, 2025.
Career and Succession Details
Anu Garg's elevation to the post of Chief Secretary is a testament to her extensive experience and service within the Odisha cadre. Her appointment breaks a long-standing glass ceiling in the state's highest echelons of governance. The move is seen as a progressive step towards greater gender representation in top administrative roles.
The official order confirms that Garg will assume her new responsibilities following the retirement of the incumbent, Manoj Ahuja, at the end of the current month. The seamless transition is expected to ensure continuity in the state's administrative machinery.
Implications and a New Chapter
This historic move by the Odisha government sets a powerful precedent for women in civil services across India. The appointment of the first woman Chief Secretary in the state is being widely welcomed as a positive and overdue development. It highlights the evolving landscape of leadership within the Indian bureaucracy, where merit and experience are increasingly defining top posts.
All eyes will now be on Anu Garg as she prepares to lead Odisha's administration, bringing her decades of expertise to address the state's developmental challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
