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:
- P. T. Mansfield, E.S.Q. – 01-04-36
- J. Bowsted, E.S.Q. – 03-08-1940
- R. A. E. Willams, E.S.Q. – 03-08-40
- Arturhugh Kemp, E.S.Q. – 21-04-44
- Arturhugh Kemp – …….
- Shri B. C. Mukherjee – 25-06-46
- Shri B. Mukherjee – 05-12-48 to 11-12-49
- Shri B. Sivaraman – 11-12-49 to 08-06-56
- Shri V. Ramanathan – 12-06-56 to 10-09-59
- Shri A. K. Barren – 10-09-59 to 05-07-61
- Shri G. C. L. Joneja -08-07-61 to 08-05-65
- Shri M. Ramakrishnaya – 09-05-65 to 02-05-70
- Shri V. S. Mathews – 27-05-70 to 11-11-72
- Shri J. A. Dave – 11-11-72 to 31-08-74
- Shri A. K. Majumdar – 31-08-74 to 05-05-76
- Shri J. A. Dave – 07-05-76 to 18-02-77
- Shri K. Ramamurty – 18-02-77 to 28-02-77
- Shri S. M. H. Burney – 01-03-77 to 21-09-77
- Shri B. Venkatraman – 29-09-77 to13-02-79
- Shri S. M. Patnaik – 14-02-79 to 29-02-80
Read Also: Odisha BJP To Felicitate CM, Dy CMs, Ministers, MPs, MLAs - Shri L. I. Parija – 29-02-80 to 29-03-80
- Shri Gian Chand – 30-03-1980 to 28-02-1983
- Shri L. I. Parija – 01-03-1983 to 01-04-83
- Shri N. K. Panda – 02-04-83 to 31-12-85
- Shri R. K. Mishra – 01-01-86 to 05-08-87
- Shri R. K. Rath – 05-08-87 to 31-05-89
- Shri R. N. Das – 01-06-89 to 15-08-91
- Shri R. K. Bhujabal – 16-08-91 to30-11-92
- Shri S. B. Mishra – 01-12-92 to 30-09-95
- Shri S. Sahoo – 30-09-95 to 30-06-97
- Shri S. B. Mishra – 04-07-97 to 24-02-99
- Shri S. M. Patnaik – 24-02-99 to11-10-99
- Shri D. P. Bagchi – 11-10-99 to 07-03-2000
- Shri P. K. Mohanty – 08-03-2000 to 31-10-2000
- Dr. Subas Pani – 01-11-2000 to 31-10-2002
- Shri Ajit Kumar Tripathy – 31-10-2002 to 31.8.2004
- Shri Tarun Kanti Mishra – 01.9.2004 to 30.11.2006
- Shri Bijay Kumar Patnaik – 01-09-2010 to 30-06-2013
- Shri Jugal Kishore Mohapatra – 01-09-2010 to 30-06-2013
- Shri Gokul Chandra Pati – 2014-2015
- Shri Aditya Prasad Padhi – 2015-2019
- Asit Kumar Tripathy – 2019-2021
- Shri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra – 2021-2023
- 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.
Also Read: Senior IAS Officer Manoj Ahuja Appointed Odisha Chief Secretary
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.