Sujata Karthikeyan's Voluntary Retirement Approved by Central Government

The senior IAS officer and women's empowerment advocate transitions from a distinguished administrative career, raising political questions in Odisha.

Sujata Karthikeyan, a 2000-batch Odisha cadre IAS officer, has been granted voluntary retirement by the central government, with the Odisha government instructed to issue the necessary notification.
She is known for impactful initiatives like Mission Shakti, which empowered 70 lakh women through credit linkages, and Mamata Yojana, which improved maternal health and nutrition.
Her career included transformative work in Naxal-affected areas, promoting education, sports, and youth empowerment through innovative programs.
Her retirement follows a denied extension of child care leave in 2024 and her transfer to a less influential role during Odisha's 2024 elections after allegations of political bias.
The timing of her retirement has drawn political speculation, given her association with the BJD and her husband VK Pandian's earlier shift from the IAS to politics.