CM Fadnavis Felicitates Sujata Saunik on Her Retirement as Maharashtra’s First Woman Chief Secretary
Mumbai, June 29, 2025 – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, today honored Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik at the Sahyadri Guest House, Mumbai, on the occasion of her retirement. The leaders lauded her for efficiently fulfilling various administrative responsibilities throughout her distinguished career.
A Trailblazing Career
Sujata Manoj Saunik, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, made history as the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. Born on June 15, 1965, she held key positions, including Additional Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Principal Secretary of Public Health and Financial Reforms.
Her expertise extended beyond India—between 2000 and 2006, she contributed to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, showcasing her leadership on a global stage.
Breaking Barriers
Saunik’s appointment as Maharashtra’s top bureaucrat was a landmark moment for gender representation in the state’s administration. However, her tenure wasn’t without challenges—reports in August 2024 suggested she was being forced out of the post, sparking debates on bureaucratic independence.
A Fond Farewell
At the felicitation ceremony, CM Fadnavis praised her dedication and administrative acumen, while the Deputy CMs acknowledged her pivotal role in governance. Her retirement marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a pioneering woman IAS officer will inspire future generations.
