Who Is Anu Garg? Odisha’s First Woman Chief Secretary Takes Charge

Senior IAS officer Anu Garg assumed the role of Chief Secretary of Odisha. She is the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post. She succeeds Manoj Ahuja, a 1990-batch officer who served from July 2024 to December 2025 and retired on Wednesday.

Who is Anu Garg?

A 1991-batch officer, Garg is expected to have a tenure of over three years. She can remain in office until March 31, 2029, according to service rules. Before this appointment, she served as the Development Commissioner of Odisha.

Chairman IOC sent greetings to Smt. Anu Garg, IAS,on the occasion of her assuming office of Chief Secretary Govt.of Odisha. Sh.Kamal Sheel,CGM & SH Odisha called on CS Odisha on 1st Jan'26 and handed over the congratulatory letter with wishes for strong collaboration @IndianOilclpic.twitter.com/k8XDAAm1xd

— IOCL_ODISHA (@IOCL_ODISHA) January 2, 2026

Garg also held the posts of Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary to the Planning and Convergence Department, with additional charge of the Water Resources Department.

In February 2023, she became the first woman Development Commissioner of Odisha, the second-highest bureaucratic position in the state.

Administrative Career

Anu Garg has held several senior positions in Odisha’s administration. She worked as Principal Secretary in the Labour and ESI Department and in the Women and Child Development Department.

Between 1992 and 2003, she served in various districts as Collector and District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate.

At the central level, Garg served as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. She also worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles and in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

\She has played a key role in implementing government schemes and policy decisions at both the state and central levels.

With this appointment, Anu Garg becomes the 47th officer to hold the post of Chief Secretary in Odisha.