West Bengal Gets First Woman Chief Secretary: Who Is Nandini Chakravorty?

West Bengal appointed Nandini Chakravorty as its first woman Chief Secretary on December 31. The appointment was cleared by Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. She is a 1994 batch IAS officer and has superseded eight senior officers to take charge of the state’s top bureaucratic post.

Before her elevation, Chakravorty was serving as the Home Secretary of West Bengal. The 56-year-old replaced Manoj Pant, whose extended tenure as Chief Secretary ended on December 31. 

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Senior IAS officer Nandini Chakravorty has assumed charge as the Chief Secretary of West Bengal from January 1, 2026, becoming the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post.

Succeeding Manoj Pant, IAS, who is now the personal secretary to Chief… pic.twitter.com/fMLKSOcl7m

— Bureaucrats India (@BureaucratsInd) January 2, 2026

Who is Nandini Chakravorty?

Nandini Chakravorty has held several senior positions in the West Bengal administration. She earlier headed the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) during 2007–2008, a period marked by land acquisition agitations in Singur and Nandigram.

After the Trinamool Congress formed the government in 2011, she continued as WBIDC chief. She was also given additional charge of the Information and Culture Department.

She was later appointed editor of the state gazetteer and subsequently served in multiple departments of the state government.

Chakravorty later became Secretary to the Governor. Differences arose between her and Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, after which she was removed from the post.

She later returned to the state administration and was given charge of the Industry Department.

In 2024, Nandini Chakravorty was appointed Home Secretary of West Bengal. She held the post until her elevation as Chief Secretary, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the state.

Related News: Odisha Gets First Female Chief Secretary

On the same day, Odisha also appointed its first female chief secretary, as IAS officer Anu Garg took charge. A 1991-batch officer, Garg is expected to have a tenure of over three years. She will remain in office until March 31, 2029, according to service rules.