Anu Garg appointed new Chief Secretary of Odisha

Senior IAS officer Anu Garg was appointed Chief Secretary by the Odisha government on Wednesday. Currently serving as DC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary to the Government, Planning and Convergence Department, with additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Anu Garg will succeed Manoj Ahuja,  who is set to retire on December 31, 2025.

“Anu Garg, IAS (RR-1991), DC-cum-ACS and Secretary to Government, Planning and Convergence Department with additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Water Resources Department is appointed as Chief Secretary, Odisha and Secretary to Government, General Administration and Public Grievance Department vice Shri Manoj Ahuja, IAS retiring on 31.12.2025,” read the notification issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department.

First Woman Chief Secretary Of Odisha 

Earlier, OTV carried a report predicting Anu Garg as the most likely official to be appointed as the Chief Secretary and close on the heels of that report, Odisha is all set to get a new Chief Secretary in the New Year. This appointment will earn Anu Garg the distinction of being the first Woman Chief Secretary of Odisha. 

Anu Garg, whose service tenure is till March 2029, was the choice of the Odisha Govt over at least 4 other senior IAS officers. As per sources, given her vast experience spanning across various departments of the Odisha government, she was the frontrunner for the post. Moreover, she was reportedly in the good books of CM Mohan Majhi as well, which is considered a key factor for the chief minister reposing faith in her.    

Given her long service tenure ahead, it is believed that she has ample time to take the Odisha governance and administration forward.