Anu Garg IAS appointed Chief Secretary of Odisha
Smt. Anu Garg IAS (Odisha 1991) presently DC-cum-ACS and Secretary – Planning and Convergence Department with additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary -Water Resources Department has been appointed as Chief Secretary- Odisha and Secretary – General Administration and Public Grievance Department vice Shri Manoj Ahuja IAS retiring on 31.12.2025.
Who is IAS Anu Garg | A Distinguished Administrator Shaping Governance Through Vision, Integrity and Experience
Smt. Anu Garg, IAS (RR–1991), is one of the most accomplished and widely respected senior civil servants in the country, known for her depth of administrative experience, intellectual excellence, and people-centric approach to governance. With a career spanning over three decades across district, state, and central governments, she has contributed significantly to public administration, policy design, health systems, social sector reform, and institutional capacity building. Her appointment as Chief Secretary, Odisha, marks a major moment in Indian Bureaucracy, reflecting trust in her leadership and balanced decision-making.
Strong Academic Foundation with Global Exposure
Smt. Anu Garg’s academic journey reflects both brilliance and diversity. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, where she specialized in Psychology and graduated as a Gold Medalist, demonstrating early academic distinction. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Sociology from Lucknow University, securing First Class, which strengthened her understanding of social systems, governance, and development.
Further enhancing her global exposure, she pursued Post-Graduate studies in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, again securing First position. This international academic experience later proved invaluable in her extensive work in health policy, disease control, and social development administration.
Entry into Civil Services and Early Field Experience
Belonging to the 1991 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, Odisha cadre, Smt. Anu Garg began her career with hands-on grassroots administration. Her early postings as Sub-Collector in Jharsuguda and Kalahandi, followed by her role as Additional District Magistrate, Kalahandi, provided deep exposure to land revenue management, sub-divisional administration, and district governance.
She later served as District Collector and District Magistrate of Bargarh and Sambalpur, where she handled complex administrative responsibilities, development planning, and law-and-order management. These formative field assignments laid a strong foundation for her later policy-level leadership.
Expanding Role in State Administration
Over the years, Smt. Garg held several key positions in the Odisha Government, particularly in the social sector. Her work in the Health & Family Welfare Department, both at state and central levels, stands out for its continuity and depth. She served as Deputy Secretary, Director, and later Commissioner-cum-Secretary in the department, handling public health systems, disease control, and health administration.
She also contributed significantly to Women & Child Development, serving as Director (ICDS) and later as Principal Secretary with additional charge. Her tenure supported structured delivery mechanisms for nutrition, child welfare, and women-centric programmes.
Central Government Experience and PMO Exposure
Smt. Anu Garg’s career also includes substantial exposure at the Union Government level. She served as Deputy Resident Commissioner in Delhi, managing coordination, protocol, and inter-governmental liaison. Her central deputation included important roles as:
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Joint Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), handling personnel and general administration
- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles
These roles placed her at the heart of national policymaking and inter-ministerial coordination, strengthening her strategic outlook and administrative maturity. Her PMO tenure, in particular, is often noted for its precision, confidentiality, and efficiency.
Leadership in Planning, Water Resources and Convergence
In recent years, Smt. Anu Garg has played a pivotal role in Odisha’s development planning architecture. She served as Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, where she oversaw water governance, irrigation planning, and resource management. Her work aligned technical execution with long-term sustainability goals.
Since March 2023, she has been serving as Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, coordinating cross-sectoral planning, monitoring, and outcome-based governance. This role positioned her at the core of policy convergence, data-driven planning, and implementation review.
She also held additional charge as Director General of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration, contributing to capacity building and training of civil servants — an area aligned with institutional strengthening and leadership development.
Appointment as Chief Secretary of Odisha
In December 2025, Smt. Anu Garg was appointed Chief Secretary, Odisha, succeeding Shri Manoj Ahuja, IAS. This appointment reflects her long-standing administrative credibility, balanced temperament, and deep familiarity with both field realities and policy formulation. As Chief Secretary, she also holds charge as Secretary, General Administration & Public Grievance Department, placing her at the apex of state administration.
Her elevation has drawn attention across governance circles and features prominently in Indian Bureaucracy Latest News and Top Indian Bureaucracy News, given her extensive experience across health, planning, labour, water resources, and central administration.
Leadership Style and Administrative Strengths
Known for her calm demeanor, analytical clarity, and consultative style, Smt. Anu Garg combines academic rigour with practical governance. Her background in psychology and public health brings a human-centered perspective to administration, while her long service record ensures institutional continuity.
She is widely regarded for:
- Policy coherence and convergence-based planning
- Strong coordination between Centre and State
- Deep understanding of social sector governance
- Commitment to transparency and professionalism
- Capacity building within the civil services
A Career of Service and Continuity
From grassroots administration in Odisha’s districts to senior leadership roles in New Delhi and Bhubaneswar, Smt. Anu Garg’s career reflects dedication, competence, and adaptability. Her journey continues to be closely followed under Indian Bureaucracy Appointments and Indian Bureaucracy Transfers News, as she steers Odisha’s administration through evolving governance challenges.
With a rare blend of academic excellence, administrative depth, and institutional experience, Smt. Anu Garg stands as a distinguished figure in contemporary Indian administration, contributing steadily to effective governance and public service delivery.
Indian Bureaucracy News Update wishes Smt Anu Garg the very best.