Sujata Saunik: Maharashtra's First Lady Chief Secretary

Sujata Saunik: Maharashtra's First Lady Chief Secretary

Some leaders leave a mark through their power and others through their presence and action. Sujata Saunik, the first woman Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, is among those rare leaders who has done both with unmatched grace, intellect, and heart. Her retirement from active service does not just mark the end of a stellar career but reflects the great legacy she carries forward.
Sujata Madam’s career spans an  entire spectrum of governance from grassroots to global. Her early years as the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, followed by a powerful tenure as Collector of Jalgaon grounded her in the realities of public service.
She took this experience to the urban sector as Municipal Commissioner of Nashik, dealing  with challenges of a growing city to  balance development with citizen-focused service delivery.
Along with administrative brilliance  Sujata Madam took interest in academics. As a Takemi Fellow she studied Public Administration, joining a global cohort of future leaders and changemakers.This sharpened her  keen understanding of governance with international insights into public policy design, institutional reform and the importance of evidence-based decision-making.
This academic lens combined with her field experience made her a rare officer who could think like a policymaker, act like a reformer, and connect like a grassroots worker.
During her tenure with the National Disaster Management Cell, Government of India, Sujata Madam played a pivotal role in shaping India's early strategies on disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
Her work helped lay the foundation for a more proactive, structured national disaster management, which continues to save lives and guide action even today
Back in Maharashtra, her work in Health was marked by both vision and compassion, designing interventions for maternal health, child welfare, and gender equity that truly touched lives. Her international exposure, including work with WHO and UNICEF, strengthened her ability to balance global perspectives with local realities.
Her reformist zeal came alive as Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department, where she led transformational initiatives in digital governance, administrative reforms, and institutional efficiency.
One of her landmark contributions has been in technology-enabled governance. As a believer in systems reform, Sujata Madam championed Maharashtra’s first e-Cabinet, transitioning decision-making processes from paper to digital. This was not just a technological upgrade, it was a shift towards transparency and accountability.
Her push for data-driven governance, real-time dashboards, and digital citizen service platforms placed Maharashtra at the forefront of administrative modernization
Perhaps another of her most defining legacies lies in her work as Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department. She led a quiet but firm revolution ensuring that capable women officers were appointed as Collectors, CEOs, and Divisional Commissioners across the state.
The shift was so visible that many said with pride, “Vidarbha Durgamayi jhaali.” Sujata Madam didn’t just believe in empowerment she created systems that made it real. She didn’t just advocate empowerment she institutionalized it. In contrast she had to be patient for over one year for her own appointment as the first lady Chief Secretary of Maharashtra which shortened her term and cetainly deprived the state of her sagacity. Yet she continued to open doors for women and  ensured they walked through them with confidence and purpose.
I had the privilege of serving as the Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Secretary’s Office. To observe her closely was to witness a masterclass in governance where nothing escaped her attention. Whether it was framing policy, planning a major government review, or managing an emergent situation her clarity of thought and attention to detail were impeccable.
Yet what set her apart most was her deeply human side. Amidst high-pressure meetings and critical decisions, she would make a call to gently remind her mother to take her medicines or talk to her son on the phone with great affection and a smile in the middle of a busy day.
Her leadership also extended beyond government roles. As President of  the Indian Administrative Service Officers’ Wives Association (IASOWA), she was an active force and brought fresh energy, inclusion, and new ideas strengthening  community ties. Whether it was supporting underprivileged children, organizing wellness programs, or undertaking donation drive she made sure that IASOWA became a vibrant, inclusive community.
Her career is a beacon for the future, a reminder that systems can be reformed with heart, that leadership can be inclusive, and that intellect shines brightest when rooted in humility.
Her official journey as Chief Secretary may have come to a close, but her influence is far from over. Whether she chooses a formal role in public policy, national leadership, global platforms or simply continues as a mentor and guide, one thing is certain: she will continue to lead, to inspire, and to illuminate paths for many.
Thank you, Sujata Madam for showing us that government service is not a just any job, but a calling. And that true leadership is not about position but about purpose.

R. Vimala, IAS,
Compassionate Bureaucrat & PhD Scholar at IIT, Bombay



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