Bhubaneswar: Seasoned IAS officer Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Odisha, following the retirement of Pradeep Kumar Jena. This announcement came from the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, marking Ahuja’s return from central deputation to serve in his parent cadre.

Ahuja, a 1990-batch IAS officer, previously held the position of Secretary in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on 25 June, upon the request of the Odisha government. He is set to assume his new role on 30 June, succeeding Jena.

In addition to his duties as Chief Secretary, Ahuja will oversee the Public Administration and Public Grievances Department. With a strong background in administration and public service, Ahuja has also served as the Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education, attaining the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Ahuja holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Patiala, an MBA from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University, USA, focusing on International Development. His leadership and expertise are further acknowledged by his role as an ex officio member of the ICRISAT Board since April 2022.

As Ahuja steps into this new chapter, expectations are high for his contributions to Odisha’s administration. /BI