Sujata Saunik Biography Sujata Saunik, born on 15 June 1965, is an Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1987 batch. She is currently the chief secretary of the Government of Maharashtra. Before this position, Saunik served as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Maharashtra and as the Principal Secretary of Public Health and Financial Reform in the state. Sujata Saunik, a 1987 batch IAS officer, became the first female Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on Sunday when she took over from retiring Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer. Incidentally, Kareer had taken the charge of this post from Saunik’s husband Manoj Saunik.
Who is Sujata Saunik 2024?
Sujata Saunik, the first female chief secretary of Maharashtra, has extensive experience in public policy and governance at various levels, from local to global assignments. Her tenure will end in June next year, marking a significant milestone in the state’s administrative history. Her background includes roles in the Indian Administrative Service and the United Nations, covering assignments at district, state, federal, and international levels.
She has worked in various positions within the Indian Administrative Service and the United Nations, including roles at the district, state, federal, and international levels. Before taking on the role of chief secretary, Saunik, whose husband Manoj Saunik has also served as a former state chief secretary, held the position of additional chief secretary in the state’s home department.
Sujata Saunik Biography 2024 Details
Sujata Saunik |
Chief Secretary Government of Maharashtra |
Incumbent |
Assumed office 1 July 2024 |
Chief Minister | Eknath Shinde |
Governor | Ramesh Bais |
Preceded by | Dr.Nitin Kareer |
Personal details |
Born | 15 June 1965 (age 59) Punjab |
Occupation | Civil service IAS |
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Sujata Saunik Biography 2024
Sujata Saunik, a 1987 batch IAS officer, made history in Maharashtra by becoming the state’s first female chief secretary on Sunday. She took over from Nitin Kareer at the chief secretary’s office in Mantralaya and is set to retire in June next year. As the most senior IAS officer in the state, Saunik previously held positions as the additional chief secretary of the home and general administration departments. Her appointment was approved by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with several other female IAS officers present at the event.
The new CS, who was passed over twice, mentioned the gender issue. She expressed gratitude for being chosen as CS but also acknowledged other deserving female officers. Previous officers like Chandra Iyengar, Chitkala Zutshi, and Medha Gadgil missed out on the CS position for different reasons.
Saunik was a top officer in April 2023. She could have been the chief secretary but CM Shinde chose her husband instead. Later, Nitin Kareer became the CS in January. The government planned to make Saunik chief secretary when Kareer’s term ended. The file was sent to the Election Commission during Lok Sabha polls. Saunik, Chahal, and Rajesh Kumar were recommended by the state. Saunik was not chosen because her husband advised the CM. Chahal and Rajesh missed out too. Kareer got a three-month extension eventually.
Saunik comes from a family with a background in bureaucracy. Besides her husband, her father C D Cheema served in the IAS and held the position of Election Commissioner of Punjab post-retirement. Her brother, Gautam Cheema, currently serves as an additional DG in the Punjab police force. Additionally, two of her aunts pursued careers in the IAS: Asha Atri in Punjab and Rani Jadhav, who retired as the chairperson of the Mumbai Port Authority. Her uncle A K D Jadhav held the role of additional chief secretary (home) in Maharashtra.
On her maternal side, her grandfather Kartar Singh served as secretary to the union government, while her uncle Pradeep Singh worked in the Indian Foreign Service. Saunik’s professional journey commenced as an assistant collector in Aurangabad, and she progressed to become the collector of Jalgaon and the municipal commissioner of Nashik. She also gained experience working in the central government and undertaking foreign assignments. During her time in Mantralaya, she oversaw the health department, administrative reforms, skill development, and general administration department.
Husband
Her spouse, Manoj Saunik, also a former State Chief Secretary, shares the same IAS batch.
Education
Education: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2017–2019)
Meet Sujata Saunik: Maharashtra’s First Woman Chief Secretary
Sujata Saunik took on the role of the state’s chief secretary on Sunday, becoming the first woman to hold this esteemed position in the state’s 64-year history. An IAS officer from the 1987 batch, Saunik replaces Nitin Kareer, who stepped down from the position on the same day. Saunik is expected to serve a one-year term before retiring.
Sujata Saunik is now the chief secretary of Maharashtra. She is the first woman to hold this role. Saunik, an IAS officer since 1987, replaced Nitin Kareer, who retired on the same day. Her term will last one year until June next year. During her thirty-year career, she specialized in public policy and governance in areas like healthcare, finance, education, disaster management, and peacekeeping. Saunik has worked in important positions within the Indian Administrative Service and internationally with the United Nations.
Meet Sujata Saunik, the first woman Chief Secretary in Maharashtra. Before this role, she was an additional chief secretary in the state’s home department. Her husband, Manoj Saunik, is a former chief secretary too. This highlights their joint efforts in public service. Saunik’s appointment shows progress in gender diversity in leadership roles within the state administration. It mirrors her successful career and dedication to serving the public.
Sujata Saunik Images
