Ritu Maheshwari: India’s Most Famous IAS Officer

Ritu Maheshwari is one of the most well-known and popular IAS officers in India. She is an inspiration to millions of Indians, particularly those who want to enter public service and make a difference in the lives of many people across the country.

Ritu Maheshwari was born in Punjab on July 14, 1978. Her parents were Shri C.D. Singla and Smt. Saroj Singla, and she had two siblings: Monika Gupta and Rishabh Singla. After graduating from D.A.V. School, M.C.M DAV College, Chandigarh, she enrolled in Punjab Engineering College to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. Ritu Maheshwari enrolled in Amity University (Noida) to pursue an MBA in Executive Development after completing her Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree.

Ritu Maheshwari is an inspiration to many young people, particularly girls, and demonstrates how hard work and determination are always rewarded. Throughout her decades of public service, she has been honoured and commended for her efforts not only in India, but around the world. There was also a documentary called Katiyabaaz made about her life. The documentary premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2012. It also won the Best Film in India category at the 15th Mumbai Film Festival.

Ritu Maheshwari is married with two children, proving that a woman may have a personally meaningful life while also attaining success professionally. Her husband, Mayur Maheshwar, is extremely supportive of her profession and achievements. They set the ideal example of a good and joyful marriage for everyone.

Ritu Maheshwari has served in a number of districts over her long career as an IAS officer. Her work is mostly focused on Uttar Pradesh, where she is responsible for some of the largest and most well-received programmes. Her postings have included Ghazipur, Amroha, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, New Delhi, Noida, and Agra. She has worked in a variety of departments and sectors, making an impact wherever she goes.

Her work has been recognised and celebrated several times. The health programme Aarogyam, which she founded in Uttar Pradesh, received the State E-Governance Award in 2011, the National E-Governance Award in 2012, and the UN Public Service Delivery Award for Public Administration in 2012.

Her contributions to the Swachh Bharat Mission in Ghaziabad and Noida were also appreciated. Ghaziabad was named Swachh Bharat’s Fastest Moving City in 2018, and Noida received the Open Defecation Free (ODF) (Noida) Plus Plus Award for Municipal Administration in 2018. Additionally, Greater Noida was classified as an Open Defecation Free City in 2021, as well as a 5-Star Garbage Free City for SBM (Urban) by the Government of India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Her commitment to the welfare of the country inspires all of its citizens. Her commitment to public service and innovative leadership wherever she is assigned make her an ideal role model for anybody interested in entering public service.