New Delhi, August 11 (APAC Media): The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of IAS Archana Varma as Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
A 1995-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre, Varma is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the same department and as Mission Director of the National Water Mission. Her appointment brings extensive experience in water management, public administration, and policy implementation to one of the Centre’s key departments.
Extensive Administrative Experience
Varma has held several important positions at both the central and state levels during her career. She began her administrative career as Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Karbi Anglong before becoming District Magistrate of Goalpara. During her tenure, she dealt with challenges including recurrent floods and law-and-order situations while also promoting women’s Self-Help Groups and literacy initiatives.
In Assam, she served as Commissioner and Secretary, Rural Development, Commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, and District Magistrate of Goalpara.
Her experience in urban administration and rural development further strengthened her understanding of grassroots governance and public service delivery.
Key Roles at the Centre
At the central level, Varma served as Director in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from 2005 to 2010, including a role related to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), where she contributed to the formulation of programme guidelines.
She later served in the Department of Personnel and Training as Director and Joint Secretary between 2013 and 2017. Her responsibilities included matters concerning the CBI, reservation policy, the Right to Information Act, the Central Administrative Tribunal, and the Seventh Pay Commission.
Varma also served as Additional Secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission, where she handled policy and vigilance-related matters.
Her appointment as Water Resources Secretary comes at a time when issues including water conservation, river management, groundwater sustainability and Ganga rejuvenation remain key priorities for the government.
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