IAS Ranjana Chopra & Santosh Sarangi
Recognizing their outstanding service, IAS officers Santosh Sarangi & Ranjana Chopra from the 1994 Odisha cadre have been empanelled as secretaries at the Centre. In a prestigious career milestone, 1994-batch Odisha cadre IAS officers Santosh Sarangi & Ranjana Chopra have been empanelled to hold Secretary/Secretary equivalent posts at the Centre.
The Indian Union Cabinet's Appointments Committee has also approved the empanelment of 35 other senior bureaucrats, to Secretary or equivalent positions at the national level.
Santosh Kumar Sarangi, from the 1994 IAS batch, has been serving as the Director General of Foreign Trade since 24 January 2022, where he has been recognised for his contributions to India's trade policies.
Likewise, Ranjana Chopra, also from the same batch, currently holds the position of Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Culture, where her work has been well noted. Both officers have earned a reputation for their integrity and dedication in public service, marking them as noteworthy leaders amongst their peers.
The empanelment of these two distinguished officers reflects the government’s confidence in their leadership. Their remarkable contributions continue to shape national policies and inspire many.
Out of the 37 officers selected, 27 are from the 1994 batch of the IAS, marking a significant milestone as it marks their first empanelment for Secretary-level roles. Among them is Atish Chandra, who has been an Additional Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office.
According to the latest draft Civil List, there were 68 IAS officers from the 1994 batch at the start of the year, highlighting the competitive nature of these prestigious appointments.
These appointments reflect a proactive approach towards integrating experienced leaders in crucial domains to strengthen governance and administration at the central level in India.