Indian IAS most beautiful officer Smita Sabharwal

 Indian IAS most beautiful officer Smita Sabharwal

Smita Sabharwal, often referred to as the "People's Officer," is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer known for her dedication to public service and innovative administrative approaches.

Early Life and Education

Born on June 19, 1977, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Smita is the daughter of Colonel Pranab Das, a retired army officer, and Purabi Das. Due to her father's military assignments, she experienced life in various parts of India before the family settled in Hyderabad. There, she attended St. Ann's High School in Secunderabad and excelled academically, securing the top position nationwide in her Class 12 Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) examinations. She later earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from St. Francis College for Women in Hyderabad. 

Journey into Civil Services

Encouraged by her father, Smita aspired to join the civil services. Despite not clearing the preliminary stage in her first attempt, her perseverance led her to secure an impressive All India Rank of 4 in the 2000 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination at the age of 22. This achievement made her one of the youngest IAS officers in the country. 

Professional Milestones

Throughout her career, Smita has held several key positions:

Sub-Collector, Madanapalle (Chittoor District): Her initial posting provided her with hands-on experience in land revenue management and district administration.

Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Kadapa: She contributed to rural development initiatives, focusing on community welfare.

Municipal Commissioner, Warangal: Here, she introduced the "Fund Your City" initiative, fostering public-private partnerships to develop urban infrastructure, including traffic junctions, foot-over bridges, bus stops, and parks. 

Deputy Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Visakhapatnam: She played a pivotal role in enhancing tax administration and compliance.

District Collector, Karimnagar: Her tenure was marked by significant improvements in health and education sectors. She launched the "Ammalalana" program to promote institutional deliveries, which was recognized as a model initiative by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and nominated for the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration. 

District Collector, Medak: She successfully oversaw the 2014 general elections in the district, ensuring a high voter turnout and fair polling process.

In November 2024, Smita was appointed as the Secretary to the Government in the Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture Department of Telangana. 

Personal Life

Smita is married to Dr. Akun Sabharwal, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. The couple has two children, Nanak and Bhuvis. Despite her demanding career, she maintains a balance between her professional and personal life, often emphasizing the importance of family support in her journey.

Recognition and Awards

Her commitment to public service has earned her several accolades:

Indian Express Devi Award (2015): For innovation and dynamism in administration.

e-India Award (2013): Recognizing her contributions to government digital initiatives in the e-health category.

Chief Minister's Award: For leading the best district in the 20-Point Flagship Programme for the years 2011–12 and 2012–13.

Smita Sabharwal's career exemplifies dedication, resilience, and a proactive approach to governance, making her a role model for many aspiring civil servants.