West Bengal Gets First Woman Chief Secretary: Nandini Chakraborty Appointed Ahead of 2026 Polls

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the West Bengal government has appointed Nandini Chakraborty as the state's first woman Chief Secretary. She succeeds Manoj Pant. Chakraborty, a 1994-batch IAS officer, previously served as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs Department. The move is seen as a significant development in the state's administration leading up to the polls. The transcript highlights that this is the 'first time a woman' has held this top post in Bengal. The reporter notes that Chakraborty is 'well known for her extensive roles in the state administration' and has served in various capacities including Home Secretary.