MAY 02: Ms. Anuradha Prasad, a distinguished civil servant with over 37 years of experience in various key sectors of the Government of India, officially assumed charge as a Member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), the seniormost Member of the Commission, during a formal ceremony.
A 1986 batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service, Ms. Prasad brings a wealth of administrative, financial, and regulatory expertise to the UPSC. Her career includes impactful tenures in multiple Union ministries, including Defence, Finance, Labour & Employment, Food Processing Industries, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Academically accomplished, Ms. Prasad is an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College for Women and holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Delhi. She further pursued a Master’s in Development Administration from the University of Birmingham, UK, equipping her with a global perspective on governance and public administration.
Among her notable achievements, Ms. Prasad played a pivotal role in defence acquisitions and financial oversight while serving in the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Finance. In the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, she championed development initiatives involving cold chain logistics, food testing labs, and research & development, fostering innovation and safety in the food sector.
As a Member of regulatory bodies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET), she contributed to setting high standards in public health and skill development.
Her leadership as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Labour & Employment saw the drafting of historic Labour Codes and the launch of the e-Shram portal. As Director General of ESIC, she led crucial welfare initiatives for workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her final posting as Secretary, Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms. Prasad was instrumental in managing Centre-State relations and fostering consensus on sensitive policy matters.
Following her retirement, she served on the Police Complaints Authority, Government of NCT Delhi, continuing her commitment to public service and accountability.
