Usha Sharma is an Indian civil servant. She is known for holding many key positions including the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan.
Wiki/Biography
Usha Sharma was born on Wednesday, 26 June 1963 (age 60 years; as of 2023) in Uttar Pradesh, India. Her zodiac sign is cancer. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Chemistry.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Husband & Children
Usha Sharma is married to BN Sharma, an IAS officer of the 1985 batch, serving as the chairman of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission.
BN Sharma
Other relatives
Usha Sharma’s brother-in-law, C. P. Joshi, is a member of the Indian National Congress and the presiding Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
CP Joshi
Career
In 1985, Usha Sharma became an IAS officer and was allotted to the Rajasthan cadre. In 1989, she served as the Sub Divisional Officer in Alwar, Rajasthan and later as an administrator in the Municipal Council of Alwar region. On 1 January 1994, she became the Collector and District Magistrate of Bundi district. In October 1999, she became Ajmer district’s Collector and District Magistrate. In 2003, she became the Commissioner of the Jaipur Development Authority. In the next few years, she gained experience working in various departments such as the Programme Implementation Department, Urban Development & Housing Department, Spinfed & Rajasthan Handloom Development, Industries Department, and Tourism & Civil Aviation Department. In 2012, she was appointed as the Additional Director General of Tourism at the Government of India. In 2015, she was appointed as the Additional Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances.
Usha Sharma in a meeting as Additional Secretary
In 2017, she preceded Rakesh Tewari and became the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and served till 2020. In 2020, she was appointed the Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs.
Usha Sharma, Secretary of Youth Affairs, in a meeting at NYKS headquarters
In 2022, she preceded Niranjan Arya to become the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan. Along with this, she was given additional charge of Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Ltd., Udaipur.
Usha Sharma with Rajasthan’s Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot
Facts/Trivia
- When Usha Sharma was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, she became the 46th person to hold the post; she also became the second woman officer to reach the top bureaucracy post in Rajasthan. Prior to her, Kushal Singh was appointed as the Chief Secretary of the state in 2009, under the Ashok Gehlot government.
Usha Sharma as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan
- During her tenure as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the ASI acquired a new headquarters building called the Dharohar Bhawan, with facilities like energy-efficient lighting and rainwater harvesting. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Dharohar Bhawan’ in New Delhi on July 12, 2018.
- Usha Sharma’s tenure as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan has been extended for a period of six months by the Central government at the request of the state government. She will retain her post as the Chief Secretary till December 2023.