Manoj Ahuja Assumes Role as Chief Secretary of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Senior IAS officer Manoj Ahuja took charge today as the new Chief Secretary of Odisha, succeeding Pradeep Jena at a ceremony held at Lok Seva Bhavan.

A 1990-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, Ahuja steps into his new role following a distinguished career, including his recent position as Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. His experience spans various administrative capacities, including joint director roles in Personnel Training and General Administration at the Centre, as well as Commissioner-cum-Secretary in Odisha’s Steel and Mines and Sports and Youth Services departments.

Ahuja also previously served as Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education, bringing a wealth of experience to his new position.

Outgoing Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, a 1989-batch IAS officer, took to social media to express his sentiments on the transition. “I relinquished charge of Chief Secretary today at 3:30 pm. I welcome Manoj Ahuja, one of my good friends from the 1990 batch, my successor. I’m happy to have been succeeded by him today to hold the post of Chief Secretary. Wish him all the best,” Jena wrote.