Ms. Sukriti Likhi IAS (Haryana 1993) presently Chairperson- National Authority Chemical
Weapons Convention has been appointed as OSD- Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence (rank and pay of Secretary ) on 01,10.2025. Ms. Sukriti Likhi will take over as Secretary- Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence on 31.10.2025.
Who is IAS Sukriti Likhi | Ms. Sukriti Likhi, a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service, has recently been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence. Presently serving as Chairperson of the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat, she brings to her new assignment a rich and diverse administrative career that spans finance, industry, education, social development, international diplomacy, and core governance. With her strong academic foundation and extensive field and policy experience, Ms. Likhi represents the finest traditions of the Indian Administrative Service—integrity, adaptability, and commitment to public service.
Her educational achievements are both wide-ranging and globally recognized. She completed her B.A. (Honours) in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, graduating with distinction. She followed this with a Master’s degree in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics, again securing a first-class result, which reflects her ability to approach governance with a mix of economic and social perspectives. Ms. Likhi further broadened her academic horizon at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, where she earned a Master in Public Administration (MPA) with a focus on Economics. She also obtained a Certificate in Public Policy from Harvard, equipping her with advanced policy analysis skills and a global outlook. This blend of economics, sociology, and public policy has shaped her unique approach to administration, allowing her to balance growth-oriented governance with social equity and institutional development.
In her present role as Chairperson of the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, Ms. Likhi oversees critical work related to India’s compliance with international obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. This position reflects the government’s trust in her capacity to handle sensitive assignments requiring diplomatic engagement, technical understanding, and administrative precision. Prior to assuming this role, she served as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Steel (2021–2024) and as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, where she provided leadership in policy formulation, financial oversight, and institutional reforms. She also served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, where her contributions strengthened India’s industrial policy framework.
Ms. Likhi has also had significant exposure at the state level. She served as Managing Director of Haryana Power Generation Corporation, Director General of Land and Land Reforms Department, and Director General of Land Records, Haryana, in addition to holding responsibilities in the Revenue & Disaster Management Department. These assignments gave her deep insights into land governance, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure planning. Earlier, she played a pivotal role in cooperative development as Managing Director of HAFED (Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation), contributing to the strengthening of agricultural marketing systems in the state.
Her work in the field of education has also been noteworthy. She served as Director General, Elementary Education, and Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Haryana, where she contributed to improving learning standards, strengthening teacher training, and enhancing access to quality education. Additionally, she led technology initiatives as Managing Director of HARTRON (Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation), advancing digital governance in the state.
Ms. Likhi also gained significant international exposure as Counsellor (Economics) at the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. (2011–2014). During this period, she represented India on key economic issues, strengthening bilateral engagement with the United States on matters of trade, finance, and policy cooperation. Her earlier work as Director in the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance (2007–2011) was equally impactful, involving policy work in banking, insurance, and financial sector reforms.
Her field postings in Haryana further reflect her versatility and commitment. She served as Deputy Commissioner of Yamuna Nagar and Kurukshetra, where she dealt with land revenue management, district administration, and public service delivery at the grassroots level. She has also held roles such as Administrator of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), Director of Archaeology and Museums, Kurukshetra, and Additional Managing Director of Agro Industries, demonstrating her ability to handle a broad range of developmental and cultural portfolios.
What stands out in Ms. Sukriti Likhi’s career is the sheer breadth of her administrative exposure—ranging from grassroots rural development to high-level international diplomacy, from financial regulation to industrial policy, from social welfare to disaster management. Few officers have covered such an expansive canvas of governance, and she has done so with consistent distinction. Her Harvard training in public administration, coupled with her Indian academic grounding, has given her the ability to blend global best practices with local realities.
As she now takes over as OSD in the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, her experience will be invaluable in shaping policies that directly affect the welfare, rehabilitation, and empowerment of India’s ex-servicemen and their families. The department’s mandate requires both sensitivity and administrative effectiveness, qualities that Ms. Likhi has consistently demonstrated throughout her career.
In conclusion, Ms. Sukriti Likhi IAS is a civil servant whose career embodies commitment, competence, and vision. From district administration to international diplomacy, from economic policy to social development, her contributions have been impactful and far-reaching. As she steps into her new role in the Ministry of Defence, her leadership is expected to bring renewed momentum and empathy to policies that honor and support the nation’s veterans. Her career so far is not only a testimony to her personal dedication but also an inspiring example of how the civil service can shape lives, policies, and institutions in meaningful ways.
INdianBureaucracy.com wishes Ms. Sukriti Likhi the very best.