Archive · 1 Jan 2026
West Bengal Gets First Woman Chief Secretary
Nandini Chakravorty became the first woman Chief Secretary of West Bengal.
She took over from Manoj Pant, who had his retirement extended by six months.
Before this, Chakravorty was the state's home secretary and is now replaced by Jagdish Prasad Meena.
The state government also gave extra jobs to other senior officers, like Atri Bhattacharya and Barun Kumar Ray.
This change shows the state's focus on strong leadership and development.
The government aims to improve administrative efficiency and accelerate reforms, but there is a sense of disappointment among people about the new regime, which needs to be addressed.
Nandini Chakravorty became the first woman Chief Secretary of West Bengal.
She replaced Manoj Pant, who had a six-month extension until December 31, 2025.
Chakravorty was previously the state's home secretary and is now replaced by Jagdish Prasad Meena.
The state government assigned additional responsibilities to several senior IAS officers.
Atri Bhattacharya and Barun Kumar Ray were given extra roles in the Sundarban Affairs and tourism departments, respectively.
- Who
- Nandini Chakravorty, the newly appointed Chief Secretary of West Bengal, and Manoj Pant, the outgoing Chief Secretary.
- What
- Nandini Chakravorty became the first woman to hold the position of Chief Secretary in West Bengal.
- When
- Nandini Chakravorty took charge on December 31, 2025, replacing Manoj Pant who had a six-month extension until December 31, 2025.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- Why
- To drive administration and development in the state, reflecting a commitment to excellence and empowerment.
Government Perspective
Public Perception
Administrative Efficiency
Government Perspective
The government aims to improve administrative efficiency and accelerate reforms.
Public Perception
There is a sense of disappointment among people about the new regime, which needs to be addressed.
- Nandini Chakravorty
- First woman Chief Secretary of West Bengal, 1994-batch IAS officer
- Manoj Pant
- Outgoing Chief Secretary of West Bengal, appointed as Principal Secretary to CM Mamata Banerjee
- Jagdish Prasad Meena
- New Home Secretary of West Bengal, replacing Nandini Chakravorty
- Atri Bhattacharya
- Additional Chief Secretary of Sundarban Affairs, also DG of Netaji Subhas Administrative Training Institute
- Barun Kumar Ray
- Additional Chief Secretary of Non-Conventional and Renewable Energy Sources, also looking after the tourism department
Sources
Nandini Chakravorty Becomes Bengal’s First Woman Chief Secretary, Outgoing CS Named Mamata’s Aide
Odisha’s first woman chief secretary Anu Garg assumes office
Nandini Chakravorty named Bengal’s first woman chief secretary; Jagdish Prasad Meena home secy
Nandini Chakravorty named Bengal's first woman chief secretary
Nandini Chakravorty Appointed West Bengal's First Woman Chief Secretary
Nandini Chakraborty is new chief secretary
Bengal gets first woman chief secretary ahead of polls
Nandini Chakraborty Appointed West Bengal Chief Secretary, First Bengali Woman To Hold The Post
Nandini Chakravorty first woman chief secretary of Bengal, supersedes six senior IAS officers - Telegraph India
Anu Garg takes charge as Chief Secy
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