Anu Garg formally assumed charge as Chief Secretary of Odisha on 1 January 2026, becoming the first woman to occupy the state’s highest bureaucratic office. The ceremonial handover closed the chapter on Manoj Ahuja’s extended tenure and ushered in Garg’s leadership at a traditional transition ceremony attended by senior officials.
Anu Garg Odisha Chief Secretary
Garg, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Odisha cadre, takes office as the 47th Chief Secretary after three decades of varied administrative assignments. The appointment, notified on 24 December 2025 by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department, is being hailed as a significant step towards greater gender diversity in the state’s governance.
Before her elevation, Garg served as Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary for Planning and Convergence and held additional charge of the Water Resources Department. In 2023 she became Odisha’s first woman Development Commissioner. Her portfolio at the state level has included leadership of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, and Labour and ESI departments.
Garg’s career began in district administration. She started as Sub-Collector in Jharsuguda and served as Collector in Bargarh and Sambalpur, gaining hands-on experience in grassroots governance. Her central deputation included a stint as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2012 to 2015, together with roles in the Ministries of Textiles and Health and Family Welfare.
Among her notable contributions is her role in conceptualising Mission Shakti, Odisha’s flagship women’s self-help group programme. That initiative has become a cornerstone of the state’s efforts to empower women and expand financial inclusion for millions. Observers say Garg’s record on social programmes and public health give her a practical grounding for steering state administration.
The transition follows the formal farewell of outgoing Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, a 1990-batch officer whose tenure was extended for one year. Ahuja took charge in July 2024 and completed his term with a meeting of senior officials marking his departure.
Analysts note that Garg’s appointment arrives at a time when states are prioritising inclusive governance and stronger implementation of welfare schemes. Her experience across district administration, state departments and the central government positions her to focus on planning, convergence and service delivery.
As Chief Secretary, Garg will be responsible for coordinating between departments, advising the state government on policy matters and overseeing the implementation of major programmes. Her background in public health and social development is likely to shape priorities for service delivery and community-based interventions in the coming months.
Garg’s rise to the top bureaucratic post in Odisha will also serve as a visible example for women in the civil service. Colleagues and state leaders attending the handover ceremony praised her administrative record and commitment to public service. The government’s notification and the traditional charge-taking ceremony underline the continuity of governance while opening a new chapter under Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary.
Key Takeaways:
- Anu Garg assumes charge as Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary, bringing over 30 years of administrative experience and leadership.
- Her appointment marks a milestone in gender diversity and builds on her record as the architect of Mission Shakti.
- Garg served in central posts including the Prime Minister’s Office and has led major state departments such as Health and Women and Child Development.
- The transition followed the conclusion of Manoj Ahuja’s extended term and a formal handover ceremony on 1 January 2026.
