Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, IAS (1989 batch), has formally taken charge as the Chief Secretary of Karnataka, becoming only the fifth woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic position. Her appointment marks a significant moment for Karnataka’s administrative leadership, reflecting both continuity and a renewed focus on citizen-centric governance.
An accomplished academician, Dr. Rajneesh is a gold medallist in Psychology and holds both an MBA and a Ph.D. in Rural Development. Her strong academic foundation has shaped her analytical and reform-oriented approach throughout her career.
Over the past three decades, she has served in critical roles across key sectors including finance, civil aviation, rural development, women and child welfare, and major reform-driven assignments at the state and union levels. One of her most notable contributions has been her leadership of the Sakala Mission, Karnataka’s flagship governance reform programme aimed at ensuring timely delivery of public services. Under her stewardship, the initiative gained national recognition, winning the Google Innovation Award and the National e-Governance Award.
Dr. Rajneesh is widely respected for her administrative clarity, integrity, and strong commitment to transparent service delivery. As Chief Secretary, she is expected to continue advancing technology-enabled governance, strengthening institutional efficiency, and reinforcing a citizen-first administrative culture across the state.
