Odisha, has seen a dynamic range of leadership over the years both in politics and bureaucratic administration. Meanwhile, the role of the Chief Secretary,  has been held by numerous distinguished officers. Here’s a comprehensive look at the Chief Secretaries of Odisha from 1936 to the present:

1. P. T. Mansfield, E.S.Q. – 01-04-36
2. J. Bowsted, E.S.Q. – 03-08-1940
3. R. A. E. Willams, E.S.Q. – 03-08-40
4. Arturhugh Kemp, E.S.Q. – 21-04-44
5. Arturhugh Kemp – …….
6. Shri B. C. Mukherjee – 25-06-46
7. Shri B. Mukherjee – 05-12-48 to 11-12-49
8. Shri B. Sivaraman – 11-12-49 to 08-06-56
9. Shri V. Ramanathan – 12-06-56 to 10-09-59
10. Shri A. K. Barren – 10-09-59 to 05-07-61
11. Shri G. C. L. Joneja -08-07-61 to 08-05-65
12. Shri M. Ramakrishnaya – 09-05-65 to 02-05-70
13. Shri V. S. Mathews – 27-05-70 to 11-11-72
14. Shri J. A. Dave – 11-11-72 to 31-08-74
15. Shri A. K. Majumdar – 31-08-74 to 05-05-76
16. Shri J. A. Dave – 07-05-76 to 18-02-77
17. Shri K. Ramamurty – 18-02-77 to 28-02-77
18. Shri S. M. H. Burney – 01-03-77 to 21-09-77
19. Shri B. Venkatraman – 29-09-77 to13-02-79
20. Shri S. M. Patnaik – 14-02-79 to 29-02-80
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21. Shri L. I. Parija – 29-02-80 to 29-03-80
22. Shri Gian Chand – 30-03-1980 to 28-02-1983
23. Shri L. I. Parija – 01-03-1983 to 01-04-83
24. Shri N. K. Panda – 02-04-83 to 31-12-85
25. Shri R. K. Mishra – 01-01-86 to 05-08-87
26. Shri R. K. Rath – 05-08-87 to 31-05-89
27. Shri R. N. Das – 01-06-89 to 15-08-91
28. Shri R. K. Bhujabal – 16-08-91 to30-11-92
29. Shri S. B. Mishra – 01-12-92 to 30-09-95
30. Shri S. Sahoo – 30-09-95 to 30-06-97
31. Shri S. B. Mishra – 04-07-97 to 24-02-99
32. Shri S. M. Patnaik – 24-02-99 to11-10-99
33. Shri D. P. Bagchi – 11-10-99 to 07-03-2000
34. Shri P. K. Mohanty – 08-03-2000 to 31-10-2000
35. Dr. Subas Pani – 01-11-2000 to 31-10-2002
36. Shri Ajit Kumar Tripathy – 31-10-2002 to 31.8.2004
37. Shri Tarun Kanti Mishra – 01.9.2004 to 30.11.2006
38. Shri Bijay Kumar Patnaik – 01-09-2010 to 30-06-2013
39. Shri Jugal Kishore Mohapatra – 01-09-2010 to 30-06-2013
40. Shri Gokul Chandra Pati – 2014-2015
41. Shri Aditya Prasad Padhi – 2015-2019
42. Asit Kumar Tripathy – 2019-2021
43. Shri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra – 2021-2023
44. Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena – 2023-2024

The latest appointment is Shri Manoj Ahuja, who has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Odisha with effect from June 30, 2024. A 1990-batch Odisha-cadre officer, Ahuja was serving as the Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Secretary before his recent return to the state.

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Ahuja’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for the state, with expectations for him to lead with distinction and uphold the high standards set by his predecessors. Other contenders for the post included Nitin Chandra, Anu Garg, and Satyabrata Sahu, but Ahuja’s seniority and extensive experience made him the preferred choice for this prestigious position.