Who is IAS officer called as 'people's officer': Meet Smita Sabharwal

Lady IAS officer, who listens to the problems of more than 200 people daily and tries to solve them. This is also the reason for people calling IAS Smita Sabharwal a 'public officer'. Smita Sabharwal, who became an IAS at the age of just 23, also has the title of being the youngest IAS officer in India.

She is the first woman IAS officer to be appointed to the Chief Minister's Office.

Smita Sabharwal is the first woman IAS officer from Telangana. She has so far been posted at places like Warangal, Visakhapatnam, Karimnagar, and Chittoor. The local people of these places still remember IAS Smita Sabharwal for her excellent work.

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Life Story

Smita Sabharwal was born on 19 June 1977 in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Her mother Purabi Das is a housewife and her father Pranab Das is a retired army officer. She grew up in different cities as her father was in the army. After her father's retirement, her family settled in Hyderabad.

She did her 11th and 12th schooling at Set Ann Marredpally, Hyderabad. She topped the ISC in class 12th. Later, she did her graduation in commerce from St. Francis Degree College.

Smita Sabharwal's parents encouraged her to join the civil service after graduation. With the encouragement of her parents, she started studying for civil service, but she failed in the first attempt. She could not even pass the preliminary examination.

" Haunsale ke tarkas main

Koshish ka wo teer zinda rakho

Haar jao chahe zindagi main sab kuchh

Lekin fir se jeetne ki ummeed zinda rakho"

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Smita Sabharwal also did the same and did not give up. To convert her defeat into victory, she again kept trying with hard work and double enthusiasm.

Passed the UPSC exam on her second attempt in the year 2000 with 4th rank in All India. She was the youngest candidate in the country to do so.

She underwent administrative training for the IAS of Telangana cadre from the National Academy, Mussoorie, and probationary training in the Adilabad district. After her appointment, she was the Deputy Collector of Madanapalle, Chittoor. Due to this, she got experience in land acquisition management and district administration.

Thereafter she worked in DRDA (Cuddapah) as Project Director in Rural Development Sector.

During her tenure as the Municipal Commissioner in Warangal, she started a scheme called "Fund Your City" under which a large number of public utilities like traffic junctions, foot over-bridges, bus stands, gardens, etc. were constructed through public-private partnerships were made together.

After this, Smita Sabharwal took up the post of Deputy Commissioner of Commerce, Visakhapatnam, and also served as Joint Collector of Kurnool and Hyderabad.

In April 2012, she took charge as District Collector in “Karimnagar District”, where she made a special contribution to the field of health and education. Here she started the “Ammallana” project in the healthcare sector.

Smita Sabharwal is known for using the latest developments in the technology sector, especially for implementing government programs in the area. Monitoring government doctors through Skype completely changed the scenario in the public health sector. Adopted the technique of monitoring the performance of government schools through specially designed software.

Karimnagar district was awarded the "Best District" during Prime Minister's 20 Points program. To increase the voting percentage, she also started a scheme called “Matdan Panduga”.

Smita Sabharwal is also the first woman IAS officer to be posted in the Chief Minister's Office of Telangana.

Smita Sabharwal is married to Dr. Akun Sabharwal, an IPS officer. They have two children, a son Nanak and a daughter Bhuvish. She is very much discussed on social media. Her working style and passion to help the poor are appreciated. She listens to the problems of more than 200 people daily and tries to solve them.

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Award

• Indian Express Devi Award – 2013
• e-India (e-Health Category) Government Digital Initiative – 2013
• Chief Minister's Award for Best District (20 Point Flagship Award) - 2011-2012
• Platinum award

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