Usha Sharma (born 26 June 1963) is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who is currently serving as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, having assumed the office in 2020. She is the second woman to hold this post, after Smt. Kushal Singh. Sharma is CP Joshi(Speaker, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly) sister-in-law.
Early life and education
Usha Sharma was born on June 26, 1963, in Uttar Pradesh, India. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Chemistry.
Career
Indian Administrative Service
Sharma joined the Rajasthan cadre of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1985.
Director General of Archaeological Survey of India
In 2017, Sharma was appointed as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on 22 July 2017. During her tenure, the ASI acquired a new headquarters building named Dharohar Bhawan, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. Sharma also oversaw the restoration of the Natamandap of Jagannath Temple in Odisha and the conservation of the Jagamohan of Sun Temple in Konark.
Chief Secretary of Rajasthan
Sharma served as the Director General of the ASI until 2020 when she was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan by the state government.