Anuradha Thakur Appointed First Woman Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).

Appointment Details

• A 1994-batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer, Thakur was appointed Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) in April 2025 .
• She will take charge as Secretary, DEA on 1 July 2025, succeeding Ajay Seth .
• This marks a historic first: Thakur will be the first woman to head India’s top economic policymaking department

Additional Roles

• From 16 June 2025, she has served as an ex‑officio part‑time member of the SEBI board, by virtue of her position.
• As DEA Secretary, she is expected to also represent the government on the RBI central board (pending notification).

Background & Credentials

• A seasoned technocrat, Thakur has a background in corporate affairs and financial oversight:
  • She served as Additional Secretary in MCA
  • Former Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)
  • Led Air India’s strategic disinvestment, and helped launch the Bharat Bond ETF .
• Her appointment to DEA, which oversees critical areas like fiscal policy, external debt, economic bilateral relations, and interfacing with global financial institutions, underlines the breadth of her experience .

Broader Impact

Anuradha Thakur’s appointment is a landmark in India’s administrative history, reflecting the increasing inclusion of women in senior leadership roles within the government. Her extensive experience in economic administration and regulatory enforcement positions her to contribute significantly to India’s economic policymaking and reform agenda.

UPSC Relevance

For UPSC Aspirants

• Prelims Fact: Anuradha Thakur becomes the first woman Secretary of DEA (effective 1 July 2025).
• Mains Framing:
  • “Discuss the importance of gender diversity in key economic decision-making positions in India.”
  • “Examine the evolving role of DEA in India’s macroeconomic governance and global financial integration.”