Anu Garg, a 30-year IAS veteran, becomes Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Anu Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer from Odisha, has been appointed as the state’s first woman Chief Secretary, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding retiring incumbent Manoj Ahuja. She currently serves as Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, overseeing planning, convergence, and water resources. Her appointment marks a historic milestone in Odisha’s administrative history, recognizing her decades of service in key roles across health, women and child development, labor, and central government positions. Garg, who became the state’s first woman Development Commissioner in 2023, brings extensive experience in policy and governance, with a career spanning over 30 years. Her leadership is expected to ensure stability and continuity in major development initiatives.