Dr. Shalini Rajneesh is a 1989‑batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Karnataka cadre. She assumed office as Chief Secretary of Karnataka in August 2024, succeeding her husband in this role.
Education & Background
Dr. Rajneesh was the woman topper of her 1989 IAS batch. She earned a gold medal in Psychology from Punjab University. She holds an MBA from Australia, a Master’s in Public Policy, and a Ph.D. in Rural Development. She has also completed executive training in public service reform and e‑governance.
Career and Appointments
- She began her career in Mangaluru as Assistant Commissioner, moving through district and municipal administration roles.
- She played a pivotal role in the “Sakala” citizen service delivery project, which won national recognition and promoted e‑governance across Karnataka.
- She held senior leadership roles, including Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary in Karnataka, with portfolios covering planning, environment, SDG coordination, and administrative reform.
- In July 2024, she was appointed Chief Secretary of Karnataka, taking charge at the state’s highest administrative office.
Key Focus Areas & Contributions
Under her tenure, Dr. Rajneesh has led major governance and policy initiatives:
- She has spearheaded efforts to make Karnataka narcotics-free, convening state-level coordination for drug monitoring, enforcing SOPs, and promoting awareness campaigns.
- She directed financial accountability in state social welfare spending and issued action directives for under‑utilized corporate funds.
- She approved major public event permissions and coordinated administrative responses, including oversight of celebrations that unfortunately involved fatalities, highlighting challenges in large-scale event planning.
- Her leadership has emphasized streamlined governance, digital transparency, citizen-centric service delivery, and administrative responsiveness across the state.
Summary
Dr. Shalini Rajneesh is a highly accomplished administrator with strong academic credentials and a track record of innovative governance. As Chief Secretary of Karnataka, she leads the state’s civil service with a focus on service delivery reform, public accountability, and institutional modernization.