Sujata Saunik, IAS — a trailblazer in Indian bureaucracy, embodies the perfect blend of visionary leadership, administrative acumen, and unwavering commitment to public service. With decades of experience and a reputation for integrity and innovation, she continues to break barriers and inspire a new generation of civil servants across the nation.

Sujata Saunik – Detailed Biography & Wiki

Personal Information

Field	Details
Full Name	Sujata Manoj Saunik
Date of Birth	15 June 1965
Age (as of 2025)	60 years
Birthplace	Chandigarh, India
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hindu
Caste	Not publicly disclosed
Zodiac Sign	Gemini

 

Family Information

Relation	Details
Father	Late C.D. Cheema (Former Punjab IAS & State Election Commissioner)
Mother	Information not available
Husband	Manoj Saunik (IAS Officer, 1985 batch)
Children/Daughter	Details not publicly disclosed
Siblings	Information not available

 

Educational Background

Level	Details
Early Education	Completed from Chandigarh
College	Chandigarh
University	Punjab University
Graduation	Bachelor’s Degree
Post Graduation	Master’s in History (Gold Medalist – Topped Punjab University)
Additional Qualifications	Takemi Fellowship, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2017-2018)

 

Professional Career

Field	Details
Service	Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Batch	1987
Cadre	Maharashtra
Current Position	Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra
Notable Achievement	First Woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra
Service Start Date	1989
Retirement Date	June 2025
Total Service Period	36+ years

 

Key Career Positions

Position	Organization/Location	Year/Period
Assistant Collector	Aurangabad	1989
Chief Officer	Urban Development Department, Jalna	Various periods
Deputy District Election Officer	United Nations Mission in Cambodia	International assignment
UN Officer	United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo	2000-2006
Managing Director	Various Maharashtra Government organizations	Multiple tenures
Additional Chief Secretary	Administrative Innovation, Excellence and Good Governance Department	Pre-2024
Principal Secretary	Public Health and Financial Reform, Maharashtra	Various periods
Chief Secretary	Government of Maharashtra	July 2024 – June 2025

 

Contact & Professional Information

Field	Details
Office Address	Chief Secretary Office, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai
Official Contact	Available through Maharashtra Government channels
LinkedIn	Professional profile available
Public Contact Details	Not publicly disclosed for security reasons
Current Posting	Mumbai, Maharashtra

 

Awards & Recognition

Category	Details
Academic	Gold Medal – Punjab University (Master’s in History)
Professional	First Woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra
International	Takemi Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Research	Published research on healthcare claim data analysis
UN Recognition	Served in prestigious UN missions in Cambodia and Kosovo

 

Areas of Expertise

Domain	Experience
Public Health	Extensive experience, Harvard fellowship
Education	Policy formulation and implementation
Administration	36+ years of administrative experience
Disaster Management	State and district level experience
International Affairs	UN peacekeeping missions
Financial Reform	Principal Secretary level experience
Good Governance	Innovation and excellence initiatives

 

Physical Attributes

Attribute	Details
Height	Not publicly available
Weight	Not publicly available
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black (with grey streaks)

 

Net Worth & Assets

Category	Details
Estimated Net Worth	Not publicly disclosed
Salary	As per IAS pay scale (Chief Secretary level)
Assets	Subject to government asset declaration norms
Properties	Not publicly available

 

Notable Achievements Timeline

Year	Achievement
1987	Selected in IAS (1987 batch)
1989	Started career as Assistant Collector, Aurangabad
2000-2006	Served in UN Mission in Kosovo
2017-2018	Takemi Fellow at Harvard
April 2024	Both she and husband were candidates for Chief Secretary post
July 2024	Appointed as first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra
June 2025	Scheduled retirement date

 

Interesting Facts

Fact	Details
Unique Achievement	First woman Chief Secretary in Maharashtra’s history
Family Legacy	Father was also a distinguished IAS officer
Power Couple	Both she and her husband are senior IAS officers
International Experience	Served in UN missions in two different countries
Academic Excellence	Gold medalist in post-graduation
Research Contribution	Published research on healthcare data analysis
Service Span	Served across district, state, and international levels

 

Current Status (2024-2025)

Aspect	Status
Position	Chief Secretary, Maharashtra
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tenure	July 2024 – June 2025
Age	59 years
Service Status	Active (until June 2025)
Notable Work	Leading Maharashtra’s administrative reforms

 

Who is Sujata Saunik?

Sujata Saunik is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who created history by becoming the first woman to serve as Chief Secretary of Maharashtra in July 2024. Her remarkable career spanning over three decades showcases dedication, excellence, and groundbreaking achievements in public administration.

Born on June 15, 1965, Sujata has spent her life breaking barriers and setting new standards in civil service. At 60 years of age, she continues to inspire countless women across India to pursue careers in public administration.

Early Life and Family Background

Sujata Saunik’s family has a strong tradition of public service. She is the daughter of late C.D. Cheema, who was a renowned IAS officer and former State Election Commissioner of Punjab. This family legacy of service to the nation deeply influenced her career choices.

Sujata Saunik husband, Manoj Saunik, is also a distinguished IAS officer from the 1985 batch. Their marriage represents a unique partnership of two dedicated civil servants who have both reached the pinnacle of administrative service. Interestingly, in April 2024, both husband and wife were candidates for the Chief Secretary position, marking an unprecedented situation in Indian administrative history.

While information about Sujata Saunik’s daughter or children is not publicly disclosed due to privacy considerations standard for senior government officials, her family’s support has been instrumental throughout her career journey.

Educational Excellence

Sujata Saunik’s education reflects academic brilliance from an early age. She completed her schooling in Chandigarh before pursuing higher education at Punjab University. Her academic achievements include:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a college in Chandigarh
• Master’s in History from Punjab University, where she was a Gold Medalist and topped the university
• Takemi Fellowship at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2017-2018)

Her educational journey demonstrates that excellence in academics often translates into professional success, inspiring many young aspirants to focus on building strong educational foundations.

Career Journey: From Assistant Collector to Chief Secretary

Sujata’s professional journey began in 1989 when she started as an Assistant Collector in Aurangabad after completing her IAS training. Her career has been marked by diverse experiences and increasing responsibilities:

Early Career (1989-2000)

• Started as Assistant Collector, Aurangabad
• Served in various district-level positions
• Built strong foundation in grassroots administration

International Assignments (2000-2006)

• Served with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
• Gained valuable international experience in post-conflict administration
• Worked on peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts

Senior Administrative Roles

• Managing Director of various Maharashtra Government organizations
• Principal Secretary, Public Health Department
• Principal Secretary, Financial Reform Department
• Additional Chief Secretary, Administrative Innovation, Excellence and Good Governance

Historic Achievement (2024)

Sujata Saunik as Chief Secretary represents a milestone in Maharashtra’s administrative history. Appointed in July 2024, she became the first woman to hold this prestigious position, demonstrating that glass ceilings can be broken through dedication and competence.

Personal Details and Background

Sujata Saunik’s age of 59 years represents the perfect blend of experience and energy. Born in 1965, she has witnessed and contributed to India’s transformation over the decades.

Regarding Sujata Saunik’s caste, like many senior civil servants, she maintains privacy about personal religious and caste details, focusing instead on merit-based achievements and secular administration.

Sujata Saunik’s contact details are not publicly available due to security protocols for senior government officials. However, she can be reached through official Maharashtra Government channels and her office as Chief Secretary.

Retirement and Future Plans

Sujata Saunik’s IAS retirement date is scheduled for June 2025, as IAS officers typically retire at age 60. Her retirement will mark the end of an illustrious 36-year career in civil service. However, her legacy as Maharashtra’s first woman Chief Secretary will continue to inspire future generations.

Sujata Saunik’s IAS retirement date approaches at a time when she has already achieved the highest administrative position in the state, making her career a complete success story from start to finish.

Leadership Style and Achievements

Sujata is known for her:

• Analytical approach to problem-solving
• Clear communication skills that bridge complex policy gaps
• Empathetic leadership style that considers all stakeholders
• Focus on good governance and administrative innovation
• Commitment to public health reforms, enhanced by her Harvard fellowship

Her research work during the Harvard fellowship focused on healthcare claim data analysis, contributing valuable insights to India’s healthcare system improvement.

Breaking Barriers and Setting Examples

Sujata’s appointment as Chief Secretary is particularly significant because:

1. Gender Representation: She proves that women can reach the highest administrative positions through merit and dedication
2. Professional Excellence: Her career trajectory shows consistent growth and achievement
3. Balanced Leadership: She combines technical expertise with human empathy
4. International Experience: Her UN assignments bring global perspectives to local governance

Inspiring the Next Generation

Sujata Saunik’s journey offers several lessons for aspiring civil servants:

Key Success Principles:

• Consistent Excellence: From being a university topper to becoming Chief Secretary
• Diverse Experience: From district administration to international assignments
• Continuous Learning: Pursuing advanced education even in mid-career
• Work-Life Balance: Successfully managing family and career responsibilities
• Breaking Stereotypes: Proving that administrative leadership knows no gender boundaries

Current Responsibilities and Impact

As Chief Secretary, Sujata oversees:

• Policy Implementation across all Maharashtra government departments
• Administrative Coordination between state and central governments
• Crisis Management and disaster response coordination
• Good Governance Initiatives to improve citizen services
• Innovation in Administration to make government more efficient

Recognition and Awards

Throughout her career, Sujata has received recognition for:

• Academic excellence (Gold Medal at Punjab University)
• International service (UN mission assignments)
• Administrative innovation
• Public health policy contributions
• Breaking gender barriers in administration

Lessons from Her Journey

Sujata Saunik’s story teaches us that:

1. Education matters: Strong academic foundation creates opportunities
2. Persistence pays: 36 years of dedicated service led to the top position
3. Diversity of experience: International and domestic assignments broaden perspectives
4. Family support: Having a supportive spouse in the same field helps career growth
5. Gender is not a barrier: Merit and dedication overcome all obstacles

Future Outlook

Though Sujata Saunik’s retirement date approaches in June 2025, her impact will continue through:

• Policy legacies she establishes as Chief Secretary
• Institutional reforms she implements
• Mentorship of junior officers
• Inspiration for women aspirants
• Administrative innovations that outlast her tenure

Conclusion: A Legacy of Excellence

Sujata Saunik’s journey from a young IAS officer in 1987 to Maharashtra’s first woman Chief Secretary in 2024 represents the best of Indian civil service tradition. Her story demonstrates that with proper education, unwavering dedication, diverse experience, and strong values, anyone can reach the highest levels of public service.

Her appointment as Chief Secretary is not just a personal achievement but a victory for all women who aspire to break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. As she approaches retirement in 2025, Sujata Saunik leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations of civil servants to strive for excellence while maintaining integrity and empathy.

Sujata Saunik’s life story reminds us that true success in public service comes not from seeking personal glory, but from dedicated service to the people and the nation. Her journey continues to inspire countless individuals who dream of making a positive impact through civil service, proving that with determination and the right approach, no goal is too high to achieve.

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Faq

1. Who is Sujata Saunik?

Answer: Sujata Manoj Saunik is a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Maharashtra cadre. She made history by becoming the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, serving from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

2. What background and career milestones define her journey?

Answer: Sujata Saunik is originally from Chandigarh and holds a gold medal in MA (History) from Punjab University. Over her 35+ year career, she has held key roles such as Additional Chief Secretary in departments like Home, Public Health, and Skill Development. She also worked internationally with the United Nations in Kosovo and Cambodia.

3. What makes her appointment as Chief Secretary so notable?

Answer: Her appointment is historic as she became the first woman ever to lead the state bureaucracy in Maharashtra since its formation in 1960, breaking a long-standing gender barrier.

4. Were there obstacles before she became Chief Secretary?

Answer: Yes. Although she was the seniormost IAS officer, she was overlooked twice—once when her husband Manoj Saunik was chosen instead, and again in favor of Nitin Kareer. She was finally appointed in July 2024, shortly before her retirement.

5. What reforms did she implement as Chief Secretary?

Answer: One of her key initiatives was leading digital governance reforms, including the implementation of paperless cabinet meetings. Under her leadership, ministers began using iPads, and the first such digital cabinet meeting was held in June 2025.