Vinni Mahajan, Punjab's first woman Chief Secretary and a senior IAS officer of the 1987 batch, retired on Thursday after over 37 years of service. She was last serving with the central government and announced her retirement on Friday through a social media post.
In her post, Mahajan expressed gratitude for a fulfilling career, stating, "Yesterday I retired from IAS after a very satisfying tenure of more than 37 years in my state Punjab and Government of India. I am grateful to so many people for their immense support and opportunities."
Vinni Mahajan 1987 batch IAS officer
Mahajan, appointed as Punjab's Chief Secretary in 2020 during the Congress-led government of Captain Amarinder Singh, replaced Karan Avtar Singh. Her leadership in this role made her a prominent figure in Punjab’s administration. At that time, her husband, Dinkar Gupta, a 1987 batch IPS officer, was serving as Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP). Together, they were regarded as one of the most influential couples in Indian administration.
Shifts in Political Landscape
Three months before Punjab's assembly elections, Congress appointed Charanjit Singh Channi as Chief Minister, replacing Captain Amarinder Singh. Consequently, Mahajan was replaced as Chief Secretary by Anirudh Tiwari, a 1990 batch IAS officer, after which she moved to a role with the central government.
Husband’s Career and National Roles
During Channi’s tenure, Dinkar Gupta took leave from his position as DGP and later joined the central government, serving as the Director of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He retired on March 31, 2024, after investigating numerous high-profile cases.
Vinni Mahajan’s retirement marks the end of a notable era of service, with her contributions celebrated both at the state and national levels.