Alka Tiwari is a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Jharkhand cadre. She assumed charge as Chief Secretary of Jharkhand on 1 November 2024, becoming the third woman to hold the post in the state’s history.
Education & Background
Tiwari holds a postgraduate degree in Psychology from Meerut University, where she was awarded the Governor’s Gold Medal. She also obtained an M.Sc. in “Management & Implementation of Development Projects” from the University of Manchester in the UK, with top honors. In addition, she earned an LL.B. from Ranchi University and completed executive training programs at Harvard University and Duke University in public policy and financial management.
Career and Appointments
Early Career
Alka Tiwari held district-level assignments as Deputy Commissioner in Gumla and Lohardaga. She later served in departments such as Commercial Tax and Forest & Environment.
Central Government Roles
She served in key central ministries including the Department of Fertilisers and Pharmaceuticals as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary. She also served in NITI Aayog and was Secretary to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Chief Secretary of Jharkhand
Tiwari was appointed as Chief Secretary just ahead of the 2024 Jharkhand Legislative Assembly elections. She succeeded L. Khiyangte after his retirement on 31 October 2024. Her tenure is scheduled to continue until her superannuation on 30 September 2025.
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- Led the review of the Jharia Rehabilitation Master Plan, focusing on infrastructure and livelihood for displaced populations.
- Directed SAIL to expedite the demarcation and transfer of unused forest land back to the government and addressed local employment concerns.
- Oversaw planning for the Shravani Mela, introducing crowd control, traffic systems, and digital grievance redress mechanisms.
- Was summoned by the Jharkhand High Court over delays in municipal elections, highlighting governance and constitutional accountability.
Summary
Alka Tiwari is a highly experienced civil servant with a strong academic foundation and a record of leadership in both state and central administrations. As Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, she has led rehabilitation, administrative reform, and election-related governance during a period of political sensitivity and institutional scrutiny.