Anu Garg Becomes Odisha’s First Woman Chief Secretary | Historic Appointment 2026
In a landmark moment for Odisha’s governance, senior IAS officer Anu Garg officially took charge as the state’s 47th Chief Secretary on January 1, 2026, becoming the first woman to hold the top bureaucratic post in the state’s history.
She succeeds Manoj Ahuja, who retired after an extended tenure.
A 1991-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, Garg brings over three decades of administrative experience.
She previously served as Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary for Planning and Convergence, with additional charge of the Water Resources Department.
In 2023, she also made history as Odisha’s first woman Development Commissioner.
Her career spans grassroots administration as Sub-Collector in Jharsuguda and Collector in districts like Bargarh and Sambalpur, as well as leadership of key state departments including Health & Family Welfare, Women & Child Development, and Labour & ESI.
At the national level, Garg served as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (2012–2015) and held roles in the Ministries of Textiles and Health & Family Welfare.
Garg is widely credited with conceptualising Mission Shakti, Odisha’s flagship women’s self-help group program that has empowered millions across the state.
Her appointment marks a significant step toward gender diversity in Odisha’s governance and is expected to bring renewed focus on inclusive development.
Outgoing Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, a 1990-batch officer, concluded his tenure on December 31, 2025, after a farewell meeting with senior officials.
