The Government of India has appointed Ms. Varnali Deka, IAS (Assam–Meghalaya cadre, 2009 batch), as Director in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Delhi under the Central Staffing Scheme for a tenure of five years.
Recognised for her academic brilliance and dynamic leadership, Ms. Deka has consistently demonstrated a commitment to public service, innovation, and inclusive governance.
An academic achiever, she holds:
B.E. in Computer Science – R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore University (First with Distinction)
MBA in Operations Management – IIT Bombay (First with Distinction)
B.A. LL.B. (Hons) in Administrative Law – Gauhati University
Post-Graduate qualification in System Analysis – IIT’s School of Management
Since joining the IAS in 2009, Ms. Deka has held multiple leadership roles, including:
Deputy Commissioner – Nalbari, Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Golaghat, Barpeta (Led developmental administration, land revenue management, and disaster preparedness)
Mission Director, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship – Spearheaded employability and vocational training initiatives
Secretary & Director, Bodoland Territorial Region – Oversaw personnel administration, IT-enabled HR systems, and security-development coordination
Leadership roles in Urban Development, Ayush & Health, Education, and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Her governance approach blends administrative rigour with compassionate leadership, marked by innovation, transparency, and community empowerment. She has been widely appreciated for leveraging technology in governance and fostering participatory planning to deliver timely public services.
In her new role at the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ms. Deka is expected to bring her rich field experience and reform-oriented vision to advance tribal empowerment, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
