Physics Wallah

IAS Sujata Saunik Becomes First Woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra

IAS officer Sujata Saunik has created history by becoming the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. IAS Sujata Saunik will serve for a tenure of one year as Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit19 Sept, 2025
Share

Share

IAS Sujata Saunik

Sujata Saunik IAS: In a historic move, Sujata Saunik has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, becoming the first woman to hold this top administrative position in the state. This landmark achievement marks a significant step forward for gender equality in the civil service.

Sujata Saunik was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on June 30, 2024, after getting promoted from the post of additional chief secretary in the Home Department and General Administration Department. UPSC aspirants must learn from her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to public service.

First Woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra

Sujata Saunik IAS On June 30, 2024, Maharashtra got its first female Chief Secretary when 1987 batch IAS officer Sujata Saunik was officially appointed as the 45th CS. She has succeeded Nitin Kareer, who retired on June 30, 2024, and will serve a one-year tenure before retiring in June 2025. Mantralaya, the State Secretariat in south Mumbai, witnessed this transition of authority, where IAS Sujata Saunik was formally handed over the charge as the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra by Mr. Kareer. With her three decades of experience in public policy and governance, IAS Sujata is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. This historic appointment is a significant step forward for gender equality in the state's bureaucracy, inspiring many young women aspiring to join the civil services.

Who is Sujata Saunik?

Sujata Saunik is a 1987 batch IAS officer who was previously posted as the additional chief secretary in Maharashtra. She has held key positions in the state government, including Additional Chief Secretary of the Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department (SDEED) and Principal Secretary of Public Health and Financial Reform. Her journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of hard work and determination in reaching the pinnacle of one's career in civil services. Here is her biography:
Sujata Saunik Biography
Particular Details
Name Sujata Saunik
Date of Birth 15 June 1965
Spouse Manoj Saunik
IAS Batch 1987
Education
  • Master's Degree in History, Punjab University
  • Fellowships at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute
Experience 34 Years
Notable Positions
  • Additional Chief Secretary, Home, General Administration, and Public Health Departments, Maharashtra
  • Municipal Administrator, Kosovo (UN Deputation 2000-2005)
  • Participant, First Democratic Elections, Cambodia (UN Deputation 1992-1993)
Current Role Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra
Areas of Expertise Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Adolescent Welfare, Financial Reforms, Disaster Management, Skill Development, and School Education

Sujata Saunik: New Chief Secretary of Maharashtra

After a long wait of approximately 64 years, Maharashtra got a female Chief Secretary. This state has never had a woman in this top administrative position until the appointment of the first female DGP and now the first woman Chief Secretary. The new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, IAS Sujata Saunik, will be responsible for addressing the pressing issues facing the state of Maharashtra. She will look after matters related to infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and economic growth in the state. The new Chief Secretary IAS Sujata Saunik's appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a renewed focus on good governance and efficient service delivery to the people of Maharashtra.

Also Read: How to Become an IAS Officer

Rashmi Shukla Maharashtra’s First Woman Director General of Police

For the first time in the history of Maharashtra, two women hold top positions in the state’s bureaucracy. The first landmark was achieved in January 2024, when senior IPS officer Rashmi Shukla took charge as Maharashtra's Director General of Police, becoming the first woman to occupy this post. The appointments of Ms. Saunik as Chief Secretary and Ms. Shukla as DGP represent a significant milestone in the state's administrative history. They now serve as an inspiration to many female UPSC aspirants to dream big and break the traditional norms. Dreaming of joining the top posts at IAS, IPS, and IFS? Benefit from the best guidance available at your fingertips. Join PW UPSC courses now to take the first step toward success!
UPSC Related Articles
UPSC Prelims 2024 Answer Key UPSC Prelims Cut Off UPSC Mains Admit Card
UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024 Pratigya Diwas 2024 UPSC Result 2024

Sujata Saunik IAS FAQs

Who is the new chief secretary of Maharashtra?

Sujata Saunik is the new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.

Who is the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra?

Sujata Saunik is the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra.

What is the age of IAS Sujata Saunik?

Sujata Saunik was born on June 15, 1965, and is 59 years old.

What is the tenure of Sujata Saunik IAS as Chief Secretary?

Sujata Saunik will serve a one-year tenure as Chief Secretary, from June 2024 to June 2025.

Who is the first woman DGP of Maharashtra?

Rashmi Shukla is the first woman Director General of Police (DGP) of Maharashtra.
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.