Smt. Manisha Verma belongs to the Indian Administrative Service ( IAS) , 1993 batch, and is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary, Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Department, Government of Maharashtra. Throughout her illustrious three-decade career, she has served both in the state and center across sectors such as Finance, Higher Education, Tribal development, Film city Corporation, Water and Sanitation Department, HRD (Human Resource Development ) and Prime Minister’s office (PMO).

Ms. Verma has contributed to craft several empowering, impactful and inclusive legislations, and policies including National Food Security Act, Forest Rights Act, Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Right to Education, MGNREGA, Skill development and Farmer Producing Company. She has also contributed to social policies safeguarding marginalized groups including urban homeless, street vendors, child labour and women.

She is trained in Public Policy, Management, Leadership, Negotiations, Human Rights and Law from Delhi University and global institutions including Harvard Kennedy School and IDS Sussex.

Ms. Verma has been felicitated by Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, NITI Aayog, National Commission for SC & ST’s, Hon’ble Governor, Hon’ble Chief Minister for various initiatives and is a recipient of Maharashtra Foundation Award for outstanding public service. Microsoft has adjudged her efforts to digitize drinking water source in rural hamlets as one of best e-governance initiatives.

Her contribution has been recognised by DPIIT, GoI in promoting women entrepreneurship and startups in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities leading to Maharashtra emerging amongst Top Performing States in National Start-up Ranking Framework. Known for her commitment to inclusive growth, innovation, and youth empowerment, Ms. Verma continues to lead Maharashtra’s skilling ecosystem towards greater industry alignment and entrepreneurship promotion, driving socio-economic transformation with visionary leadership.