Sumita Dawra, an accomplished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1991 batch of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, hails from Punjab. At 59 years old, she has a long and illustrious career spanning over three decades in public administration. Known for her expertise in economics, labor reforms, and governance, she has held various key positions both at the state and central levels. Currently, she is serving as the Secretary, Labour & Employment in New Delhi, continuing her commitment to public service and impactful governance.
Personal Information Of Sumita Dawra IAS
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sumita Dawra |
| Profession | IAS Officer |
| Batch | 1991 |
| Cadre | Andhra Pradesh |
| Date of Birth | 21 March 1965 |
| Age | 59 Years |
| Birth Place | Punjab |
| Home State | Punjab |
| Mother Tongue | Hindi |
| Education Qualification | – B.A (Hans Raj Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Punjab) – M.A (Economics, Punjab University, Chandigarh) – M.Phil. (Economics, Punjab University) – MBA (D/Commerce, Punjab University) |
| Date of Joining IAS | 15 September 1991 |
| Current Posting | Secretary, Labour & Employment, New Delhi |
| First Posting | Assistant Collector, East Godavari (July 1993) |
| Date of Retirement | 30 March 2025 |
| Notable Awards/Books | – China Behind the Miracle – Poor but Spirited in Karimnagar – National Centre for Good Governance Award 2021 |
| Social Media | LinkedIn |
Early Life & Education
Born on 21st March 1965, Sumita Dawra is currently 59 years old. She hails from Punjab, and her mother tongue is Hindi. She pursued her higher education in economics, earning a B.A. from Hans Raj Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Jalandhar, followed by an M.A. and M.Phil. in Economics from Punjab University, Chandigarh. She later completed an MBA with a focus on E-Commerce, also from Punjab University.
Civil Services Career
Sumita Dawra joined the IAS on 15th September 1991 and was first posted as Assistant Collector in East Godavari in July 1993. Over the years, she has held various influential roles in different sectors, including labor, employment, rural development, and international diplomacy.
| Key Position | Department | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | Panchayati Raj Dept., East Godavari | 01-08-1995 to 01-07-1996 |
| District Collector and DM | Karimnagar | 07-05-2001 to 31-12-2003 |
| Joint Commissioner of Commercial Taxes | Revenue Dept., Hyderabad | 21-06-2005 to 02-10-2005 |
| Managing Director | Municipal Admin Dept., Hyderabad | 28-07-2006 to 20-04-2008 |
| Director | Financial Services, New Delhi | 21-04-2008 to 17-12-2011 |
| Counsellor | Embassy of India, Beijing (Foreign Posting) | 18-02-2011 to 10-07-2014 |
| Principal Secretary | Transport, Roads & Buildings, Amaravati | 16-01-2017 to 03-10-2017 |
| Joint Secretary | Commerce & Industry, New Delhi | 01-08-2019 to 03-11-2020 |
| Secretary | Labour & Employment, New Delhi | 29-02-2024 to present |
Achievements & Awards
Sumita Dawra has been recognized for her contribution to governance and public policy, particularly in areas like labor reforms and investment promotion. Some of her awards and publications include:
| Year | Award/Book Title | Awarding Body/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Attracting Investments to India during COVID-19 | National Centre for Good Governance |
| 2015 | China Behind the Miracle | Bloomsbury (India) |
| 2012 | Poor but Spirited in Karimnagar – Field Notes of a Civil Servant | HarperCollins (India) |
| 2007 | Eradication of Child Labour: Convergence Strategies | International Labour Organization (ILO) |
Family Life
Though specific details about her husband and daughter are not available, Sumita Dawra’s personal life has been relatively private. Her dedication to public service is well-known, and she continues to inspire many with her work.
Current Posting
As of February 2024, Sumita Dawra has been serving as the Secretary, Labour & Employment in New Delhi. She continues to work on key national projects and policies, contributing her extensive expertise to the government.
Retirement
Sumita Dawra is set to retire from the Indian Administrative Service on 30th March 2025, bringing to a close a distinguished career spanning more than three decades of service.
For more insights into her career, you can follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter:
- LinkedIn: Sumita Dawra
- Twitter: Sumita Dawra