Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer Anu Garg has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Odisha, succeeding Manoj Ahuja, who is set to retire on December 31, 2025. With this appointment, Garg becomes the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post.
A 1991-batch IAS officer, Garg is currently serving as Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning and Convergence Department and the Water Resources Department. Her appointment was officially notified by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on Tuesday.
Known for her wide-ranging administrative experience at both the state and central levels, Garg has previously served as Principal Secretary in key departments including Water Resources, Women and Child Development, and Labour and ESI. Over the years, she has played a significant role in policy formulation, development planning, and governance reforms in the state.
With her elevation to the post of Chief Secretary, the state government expects continuity in administrative leadership along with a strong focus on development, governance efficiency, and coordination across departments.
Garg will formally take charge following the superannuation of Manoj Ahuja at the end of this month.
-OdishaAge
