Meet IAS Smita Sabharwal, India’s youngest IAS officer, recently landed in controversy for posting…, now transferred to…
Clearing the Civil Services Examination is no small feat. It demands years of focused preparation, consistent effort, and unwavering patience. Organized by the Union Public Service Commission(UPSC), the exam is held in three phases(prelims, mains, and interview). Once candidates successfully clear all three phases, they are ranked based on their scores. IAS officers have gained widespread attention on the internet, not just for their professional achievements but for their personal life choices. IAS Tina Dabi, IAS Ria Dabi, and IAS Smita Sabharwal are among the civil servants who have gained massive popularity on social media for both their accomplishments and their style.
IAS officer Smita Sabharwal has been an active voice on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where she has addressed various issues and sparked discussions. Earlier, Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Smita Sabharwal had requested the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of India to intervene in the release of convicts involved in the killing of IAS officer G. Krishnaiah in Bihar.
Previously, Sabharwal sparked controversy with her remarks during the debate on reservation for UPSC aspirants under the PwD category. This discussion was ignited by the controversy surrounding the recruitment of IAS probationary officer Puja Khedkar under the disability quota. She questioned the necessity of a disability quota in the IAS and suggested that individuals with disabilities might struggle to meet the demands of the service.
“With all due respect to the Differently Abled. Does an Airline hire a pilot with a disability? Or would you trust a surgeon with a disability? The nature of IAS/IPS/IFoS is field work, long taxing hours, and listening first-hand to people’s grievances-which requires physical fitness. Why does this premier service need this quota in the first place!,” She questioned.
Once again, the senior IAS Officer has been at the center of a significant controversy. The event revolves around reposting an AI-generated Ghibli image on social media regarding the bulldozing of the 400-acre land near Hyderabad Central University. Cyberabad Police have served notice under section 179 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to Smita Sabharwal, principal secretary of Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture, as reported by news agency IANS.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer on March 31 had reposted a tweet from the ‘Hi Hyderabad’ handle with an image depicting bulldozers in front of the Mushroom Rock on Kancha Gachibowli land, with a peacock and two deer looking on in Ghibli style.
The 2001-batch IAS officer had re-posted the content amid the protests by HCU students, environment activists and opposition parties over alleged destruction of the forest on the Kancha Gachibowli land.
According to the news agency IANS report, Senior Indian Administrative Service officer Smita Sabharwal, who was recently summoned by the police for reposting an AI-generated Ghibli image on social media regarding the cutting of trees on 400-acre land near Hyderabad Central University, is among 20 officers transferred by the Telangana government on Sunday.
Sabharwal, who had appeared before Cyberabad police a week ago, had questioned the “selective targeting”. It is to be noted that the 2001-batch IAS officer had asked if the same action was initiated against 2,000 individuals who reshared the same post.
Sabharwal, currently Special Chief Secretary, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture (YAT&C) and Director, Archaeology, has been transferred and posted as Member Secretary, Telangana Finance Commission, a post she was holding before her transfer to YAT&C in November 2024.
As the secretary to the Chief Minister, she was a powerful officer under the previous BRS government. After the Congress came to power, she was transferred out of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and posted as Member Secretary, Telangana Finance Commission.
Sharing a post on X, Smita wrote,”Karmanye vadhikaraste, ma phaleshu kadachana” #IAS Spent 4 months in Tourism. Did my best! 1.Brought in the long pending Tourism Policy 25-30, a first for the State. Will create a solid frame for direction & investment in neglected tourist circuits. 2. Revamped the working style of the dept and tried to infuse accountability. 3. Laid the foundation for the logistics & planning- for a global event.. which am sure will open doors to many more! Pleasure & honor 
@TravelTelangana.”
Smita Sabharwal was born on June 19, 1977, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, to a Bengali family. She is the daughter of Army officer Colonel Pranab Das and Purabi Das. At just reportedly 23 years old, Smita made history by clearing the UPSC examination, becoming one of the youngest female IAS officers in India. She completed her schooling at St. Ann’s High School in Secunderabad, Telangana. IAS officer Smita Sabharwal is widely known as the “people’s officer.” Sabharwal cleared the UPSC exam in 2000, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 4. She has 1 million followers on Instagram.
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