Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Woman IAS officer Sumita Mishra appointed Home Secretary, Haryana; Here's everything to know about her
Ramesh Goyat
Chandigarh, December 3, 2024: 1990-batch IAS officer Sumita Mishra will now be the new Home Secretary of the state. Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of Medical Education and Research Department, Sumita Mishra has been appointed ACS of Home, Jail, Criminal Investigation and Justice Administration departments. She will replace Anurag Rastogi.
Sumita Mishra was born on 30 January 1967 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Sumita Mishra obtained a degree in Economics and Mathematics after studying at Loreto Convent and La Martiniere school.
Apart from her formal education, she has specialized in public policy through intensive programs at institutions such as Harvard University, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Royal Institute of Public Administration in London, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and University of Cambridge.
Sumita Mishra, a member of the IAS since 1990, has had a career in various government roles in Haryana. Her extensive experience includes holding public administration positions such as SDM, DC and Administrator HUDA. Mishra began a three-year term as Senior Advisor in the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council in December 2017. President Pratibha Patil conferred three National Awards to Haryana for outstanding work in renewable energy during her tenure as Director in 2007. Under her leadership, Haryana won the National Award for energy conservation a record-breaking three times.
Additionally, her 2005 Renewable Energy Power Policy attracted investments of Rs 5000 crore from independent producers.
During his tenure as Managing Director (2013-2016), he organised three successful Surajkund International Crafts Fairs (28th, 29th, 30th), culminating in a record-breaking 2016 edition. The fair, the largest to date, attracted 23 countries, 1.5 million visitors and boasted innovations such as online ticketing, a mobile app and social impact initiatives.
Under Sumita Mishra's leadership, Haryana introduced the DSR method and farmers are being educated about its benefits through ongoing training programmes. During her tenure as Additional Chief Secretary for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare in Haryana from 2021 to 2023, she took successful initiatives like crop diversification programme (Mera Pani Meri Virasat), natural farming methods, adoption of direct seeded rice, and crop residue management. In the horticulture sector, her leadership led to the adoption of innovative technologies like vertical farming and establishment of poly and net houses. Additionally, schemes like Mukhyamantri Horticulture Insurance Scheme and Haryana Beekeeping Policy were launched in 2021-22.
Sumita Mishra's efforts made Haryana the first state in India to implement a crèche policy in July 2023.
Beyond her official duties, Mishra is a dedicated literary figure. She founded the Chandigarh Literary Society and serves as the enthusiastic Festival Director of Chandigarh's annual literary festival Literati, which began in 2013 at the Lake Club.
Mishra currently holds the post of ACS, Government of Haryana, responsible for both Medical Education & Research and Women & Child Development departments.
Recognized for "Best Destination Management" in India (WTTCI-HVS, 2014-15).
She was awarded the 'State Level Major Award' on "Atal Bihari Vajpayee Good Governance Day" by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Haryana for outstanding performance in implementation of the flagship scheme "Meri Fasal Mera Byora" implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
She was awarded the 'Agriculture Leadership Award-2021' for Horticulture for the year 2021-22. He was awarded Waqt Ke Ujale by Chandigarh Sahitya Academy for the best work in Hindi poetry in the year 2016-17.