Prajakta L Verma lAS given premature repatriation to parent cadre
Ms. Prajakta L Verma lAS (Maharashtra 2001) presently Joint Secretary- Department
of Atomic Energy has been given premature repatriation to her parent cadre to avail the benefit of promotion in the cadre.
Ms. Prajakta L. Verma, IAS, is a seasoned civil servant whose career reflects intellectual depth, administrative versatility, and a consistent commitment to public service. A graduate of University of Mumbai, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from DG Ruparel College with First Class distinction. She further pursued a Postgraduate degree in History from the University of Mumbai, securing a Second Class, before earning a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences with First Class honors. Adding a legal dimension to her academic profile, she obtained her LL.B. from University of Mumbai, specializing in Administrative and other Laws. Her academic journey culminated internationally with an M.Sc. in Urban Studies from the London School of Economics & Political Science, where she passed with Merit—an achievement that reflects her global perspective on governance and urban transformation.
Over the years, Ms. Verma has built an impressive portfolio across key sectors at both the State and Central levels. Her grounding in grassroots administration began as Chief Executive Officer of Zila Parishad, Ahmednagar (2004–2007), where she worked closely with rural development and public health engineering initiatives. As District Collector and District Magistrate of Dhule (2007–2009), she demonstrated steady leadership in land revenue management and district administration, earning a reputation for accessibility and balanced decision-making.
Her tenure in the Information & Public Relations Department (2009–2010) as Director General at the Deputy Secretary equivalent level showcased her ability to manage public communication with clarity and institutional sensitivity. Subsequently, as Deputy Secretary in the Water Supply & Sanitation Department (2010–2011), she contributed to drinking water and water resource governance, an area critical to sustainable development. Serving in the Chief Secretary’s Office as Deputy Secretary (2011–2013), she gained invaluable exposure to administrative reforms and personnel management at the highest echelons of state governance.
At the Centre, Ms. Verma served in the Shipping sector (2013–2015), including as Deputy Director General in the Directorate General of Shipping, where she handled transport and maritime regulatory matters with professionalism and strategic insight. Returning to the State cadre, she took on financial and taxation responsibilities as Joint Commissioner (Enforcement) in the Directorate of Commercial Taxes (2015–2016), strengthening compliance mechanisms and administrative efficiency.
Her academic specialization in urban studies found practical expression during her tenure as Joint Managing Director, CIDCO (2016–2019), where she contributed to urban planning and development in Navi Mumbai. As Commissioner of Excise (2019–2020), she managed finance and excise administration with prudence. She later served as Secretary, Languages Department (2020), guiding cultural and linguistic affairs with sensitivity to Maharashtra’s rich heritage.
In 2021, as Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur, she oversaw land revenue management and district administration functions, balancing development priorities with regulatory oversight. Her transition to the Government of India as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles (2022–2025) marked another significant chapter, where she worked on policy and sectoral initiatives impacting one of India’s largest employment-generating industries.
Currently serving as Joint Secretary/Additional Secretary in the Department of Atomic Energy (2025–2027) in Mumbai, she is engaged with one of the nation’s most strategic sectors—energy and atomic research. This assignment underscores the trust reposed in her administrative acumen and capacity to handle complex, high-stakes portfolios.
Throughout her journey, Ms. Prajakta L. Verma has exemplified the qualities associated with the finest traditions of the Indian Administrative Service—intellectual rigor, adaptability across sectors, and a steady commitment to institutional integrity. Her career arc, spanning rural development, finance, urban governance, culture, shipping, textiles, and atomic energy, reflects both breadth and depth. With a rare blend of academic excellence and practical governance experience, she continues to contribute meaningfully to public administration, embodying professionalism marked by quiet efficiency and thoughtful leadership.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Ms Prajakta L Verma the very best.