In a landmark achievement, Sujata Saunik, a senior IAS officer from the 1987 batch, has been appointed as Maharashtra’s first female Chief Secretary. This historic transition took place on June 30, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in the state’s bureaucracy.

Saunik’s appointment follows the retirement of Nitin Kareer, the former Chief Secretary, and she is set to serve a one-year tenure until June next year. Her selection by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is seen as a pivotal move, not only to acknowledge her capabilities but also to resonate with women voters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The official handover ceremony occurred at Mantralaya, the State Secretariat in south Mumbai, where Saunik formally assumed her new responsibilities from Kareer.

Prior to her current role, Saunik held several significant positions within the state government, including Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department and the General Administration Department. Her extensive experience in public administration spans various key sectors, including public health.

Saunik’s appointment adds to the growing prominence of women leaders in Maharashtra, following Rashmi Shukla’s recent historic appointment as the State’s first female Director General of Police earlier this year.

Saunik’s husband, Manoj Saunik, is also a former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, sharing the same IAS batch, thus adding a unique familial dimension to her professional journey.