Sumita Misra

Sumita Misra is an Indian civil service servant. She is an Indian Administrative Service officer and poet. Currently, she is posted as ACS to Government of Haryana, Medical Education and Research Department.

Early life and education
Sumita Misra was born on 30th January 30 1967 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Sumita Misra, born in Lucknow, earned degrees in Economics and Math after attending Loreto Convent and La Martiniere schools.

In addition to her formal education, she has expertise in public policy through intensive programs at institutions like Harvard University, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, the Royal Institute of Public Administration in London, the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and the University of Cambridge.

Career
Sumita Misra, an member of the IAS since 1990, boasts a career across diverse government roles in Haryana. Her extensive experience spans public administration positions like SDM, DC, and Administrator HUDA.

PM’s economic advisory council
Misra began a three-year term as Senior Advisor in the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council in December 2017.

Three National Awards for outstanding work in renewable energy were bestowed upon Haryana by President Pratibha Patil in 2007 in during her stint as director. Through her leadership, Haryana achieved a record-breaking three-peat National Award for Energy Conservation. Additionally, her 2005 Renewable Energy Power Policy attracted 5000 crores in investment from independent producers.

Surajkund International Craft Fair
During her tenure as Managing Director (2013-2016), she orchestrated three successful Surajkund International Crafts Melas (28th, 29th, 30th), culminating in the record-breaking 2016 edition. This largest-ever Mela attracted 23 countries, 1.5 million visitors, and boasted innovations like online ticketing, a mobile app, and social impact initiatives.

Under the leadership of Sumita Misra, Haryana launched the DSR method, and ongoing training programs are educating farmers about its benefits.

During her tenure as Additional Chief Secretary for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Haryana from 2021 to 2023, she championed successful initiatives like crop diversification programs (Mera Pani Meri Virasat), natural farming practices, Direct Seeded Rice adoption, and crop residue management. In the horticulture sector, her leadership led to the adoption of innovative technologies like vertical farming and the establishment of poly and net houses. Additionally, schemes like the Mukhyamantri Bagwani Bima Yojana and the Haryana Beekeeping Policy were launched in 2021-22.

Crèche policy in Haryana
Sumita Misra's efforts were key to making Haryana the first state in India to implement a crèche policy in July 2023.

Chandigarh Literati Society
Beyond her official duties, Misra is a devoted literary figure. She founded the Chandigarh Literary Society. and serves as the enthusiastic Festival Director of Literati, Chandigarh's annual literary feast, which began in 2013 at the Lake Club.

Misra currently holds the position of ACS to the Government of Haryana, responsible for both the Medical Education & Research and Women and Child Development Departments.

Notable works

 * A Life of Light - 2012
 * Zara Si Dhoop - 2013
 * Waqt Ke Ujale Mein - 2016
 * Petrichor - 2017
 * Lamhou Ki Shabnam - 2022

Awards
Recognized for "Best Destination Stewardship" in India (WTTCI-HVS, 2014-15).

She was awarded with 'State Level Flagship Award' on "Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sushasan Diwas" by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Haryana for excellent performance in implementing the flagship Scheme "Meri Fasal Mera Byora" - implemented by Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department.

She was awarded with 'Agriculture Leadership Award-2021' conferred to Horticulture in the year 2021-22.

She was awarded by the Chandigarh Sahitya Academy for Waqt Ke Ujale May as the best work in Hindi poetry in 2016-17.