Neelam Shami Rao is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1992 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre, currently serves as Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. She assumed the position in December 2024, succeeding the previous Secretary of Textiles.
Education & Background
Neelam Shami Rao completed a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, before joining the IAS in 1992 and being allotted to the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
Career and Appointments
Early Administrative Roles
Rao began her career in Madhya Pradesh, serving as District Collector in Guna and Koria. At the national level, she held senior positions in agencies such as the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, where she served as Central Provident Fund Commissioner. She also led training initiatives as Director General of Training in the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (holding the rank of Additional Secretary).
Senior Appointments & Textiles Secretary
Before joining the Ministry of Textiles, she served as Secretary, National Commission for Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs. She was appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Textiles in December 2024 following a cabinet-level appointment process.
Key Initiatives or Focus Areas
- In April 2025, Secretary Rao chaired a meeting with the Weavers’ Service Association in Bengaluru, assuring full support from the ministry toward welfare and development of handloom artisans, including enhanced financial support and scholarship schemes.
- In June 2025, she presided over the fourth ESG Task Force meeting, where she highlighted efforts in textile clusters like Tiruppur, Surat, and Panipat to adopt sustainable practices including wastewater recycling, renewable energy, and circular textile operations. She also discussed the draft “Roadmap 2047” aimed at building a sustainable, circular textile industry through capacity building, R&D, and policy alignment.
- She supported the launch of Bharat Tex 2025, India’s large-scale textile trade fair, emphasizing the sector’s global competitiveness, export potential, and alignment with India’s vision to serve as a leading sustainable sourcing hub.
- In February 2025, Rao engaged with the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry to discuss integrated strategies for revitalizing Kashmir’s handicraft sector, including plans for an international handicraft mart and enhanced market linkages for artisans and exporters.
Summary
Neelam Shami Rao is a seasoned IAS officer from the 1992 Madhya Pradesh cadre, with rich experience in labour welfare, minority affairs, and administrative training. As Secretary of Textiles, she has focused on empowering handloom weavers, steering sustainable practices in textile clusters, supporting global trade expos, and promoting handicraft-based growth. Her leadership reflects a blend of policy innovation, sectoral transformation, and inclusive development.