Roli Singh is a name synonymous with dedication, excellence, and leadership in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). As an IAS officer of the 1994 batch from the Rajasthan cadre, she has carved an illustrious career spanning nearly three decades. Currently serving as the Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Roli Singh has made significant contributions to various sectors, including health, education, women and child welfare, and personnel management.
Early Life and Education
Roli Singh was born into a family that valued education and public service, though specific details about her birth date and family background remain private, as is common with many IAS officers. Her formative years were spent in an environment that nurtured intellectual curiosity and a sense of responsibility toward society. She pursued her schooling at Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun, one of India’s premier institutions known for fostering independent thinking and leadership among young women.
After completing her schooling, Roli Singh enrolled at Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), Delhi University, where she graduated with a degree in History. LSR, renowned for its academic rigor and emphasis on empowering women, played a pivotal role in shaping her worldview and analytical skills. Her academic journey continued with a Master’s degree in Public Management and Governance from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) in the United Kingdom. This advanced education equipped her with a global perspective on governance, policy-making, and public administration, which would later prove instrumental in her career as an IAS officer.
Joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Roli Singh’s entry into the IAS came in 1994 when she successfully cleared the highly competitive Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Joining the Rajasthan cadre, she embarked on a journey that would see her rise through the ranks of India’s bureaucracy. The IAS is considered one of the most prestigious career paths in India, and being part of the 1994 batch placed her among a select group of approximately 5,000 IAS officers tasked with administering a nation of over a billion people.
Her initial training took place at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, the premier institution for civil services training in India. During her training, she honed her skills in administration, law, public policy, and governance, preparing her for the multifaceted challenges of public service.
Career Highlights and Key Roles
Roli Singh’s career in the IAS spans nearly 28 years, during which she has held a variety of significant positions at both state and central government levels. Her work has covered diverse sectors, including health, medical education, women and child welfare, and personnel management. Below are some of the key highlights of her career:
Early Career in Rajasthan
As a young IAS officer in the Rajasthan cadre, Roli Singh began her career with postings that exposed her to grassroots administration. She worked in various districts of Rajasthan, gaining hands-on experience in implementing government policies, managing public resources, and addressing the needs of rural and urban populations. Her early roles likely included positions such as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and District Collector, where she would have been responsible for law and order, revenue administration, and development programs.
During this period, she also served in the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) at the state level, contributing to human resource management and capacity building within the Rajasthan government. Her ability to navigate complex administrative challenges and deliver results earned her recognition as a capable and committed officer.
Contributions to Women and Child Welfare
One of the standout aspects of Roli Singh’s career is her focus on women and child welfare. In Rajasthan, a state with significant socio-economic challenges, she worked on initiatives aimed at improving maternal and child health, promoting gender equality, and enhancing educational opportunities for girls. Her efforts in this domain reflect her commitment to social justice and inclusive development, key pillars of the IAS mandate.
Faculty Role at LBSNAA
Roli Singh’s expertise and experience led to her appointment as a faculty member at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. In this role, she trained and mentored aspiring civil servants, sharing her insights on governance, public administration, and policy implementation. Her tenure at LBSNAA underscores her reputation as a thought leader within the IAS community.
Central Deputation: Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
In December 2021, Roli Singh was appointed as the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, marking her first significant posting at the central level. This appointment came after the Rajasthan state government approved her central deputation, recognizing her expertise and leadership capabilities. As Additional Secretary, she oversees critical health policies and programs, playing a pivotal role in shaping India’s healthcare landscape.
Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM)
Currently, Roli Singh serves as the Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), one of India’s flagship public health programs. Launched in 2005, the NHM aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural and underserved populations. Under her leadership, the NHM has focused on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving maternal and child health outcomes, and addressing public health challenges such as communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Her tenure as Mission Director has coincided with a period of significant transformation in India’s health sector, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollout of vaccination programs. Her strategic vision and administrative acumen have been instrumental in ensuring the effective implementation of NHM initiatives across the country.
Ex-Officio Member, National Medical Commission (NMC)
In April 2022, Roli Singh was appointed as an ex-officio member of the National Medical Commission (NMC), the regulatory body responsible for overseeing medical education and practice in India. This role highlights her influence in shaping medical education policies and ensuring the quality of healthcare professionals in the country.
Personal Life
While Roli Singh maintains a low profile regarding her personal life, it is known that she balances her demanding career with her responsibilities as a family member. Details about her marital status, spouse, or children are not widely available in the public domain, as is typical for IAS officers who prioritize privacy. Her focus remains on her professional commitments and contributions to public service.
Leadership Style and Impact
Roli Singh’s leadership style is characterized by a blend of empathy, strategic thinking, and a results-oriented approach. Her ability to work across sectors—health, education, women’s welfare, and personnel management—demonstrates her versatility and adaptability. Colleagues and peers often describe her as a collaborative leader who values stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making.
Her impact is particularly evident in the health sector, where she has played a key role in advancing India’s public health agenda. From strengthening healthcare delivery systems to promoting medical education reforms, her contributions have had a lasting effect on millions of lives.
Challenges and Achievements
Like all IAS officers, Roli Singh has faced numerous challenges in her career, including bureaucratic hurdles, resource constraints, and the complexities of implementing policies in a diverse and populous country like India. However, her resilience and dedication have enabled her to overcome these obstacles and achieve significant milestones.
Achievements
- Healthcare Reforms: As Mission Director of the NHM, she has driven initiatives to improve healthcare access and quality, particularly in rural areas.
- Medical Education: Her role in the NMC has contributed to reforms in medical education, ensuring higher standards for training healthcare professionals.
- Women and Child Welfare: Her work in Rajasthan has had a tangible impact on improving the lives of women and children.
- Capacity Building: Through her roles in personnel management and training, she has strengthened the administrative capabilities of government institutions.
Challenges
- Pandemic Response: Managing health programs during the COVID-19 pandemic required rapid decision-making and coordination across multiple levels of government.
- Resource Limitations: Implementing large-scale programs like the NHM in resource-constrained settings poses ongoing challenges.
- Policy Implementation: Balancing state and central government priorities while ensuring effective policy execution is a complex task.
Conclusion
Roli Singh’s journey as an IAS officer is a testament to the power of dedication, education, and leadership in public service. From her early days in Rajasthan to her current role as a central figure in India’s health sector, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of citizens. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants and underscores the critical role of the IAS in shaping India’s future.
Top FAQs About Roli Singh IAS
- Who is Roli Singh IAS? Roli Singh is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1994 batch, Rajasthan cadre. She currently serves as the Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
- What is Roli Singh’s educational background? She graduated with a degree in History from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and holds a Master’s degree in Public Management and Governance from the London School of Economics (LSE).
- What are Roli Singh’s major contributions? Her major contributions include advancing public health through the National Health Mission, reforming medical education as an ex-officio member of the NMC, and promoting women and child welfare in Rajasthan.
- What roles has Roli Singh held in her career? She has held various roles, including district-level postings in Rajasthan, faculty at LBSNAA, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Mission Director of the NHM.
- Which cadre does Roli Singh belong to? Roli Singh belongs to the Rajasthan cadre of the IAS, having joined in the 1994 batch.
- What is the National Health Mission (NHM)? The NHM is a flagship program of the Government of India aimed at providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare, particularly to rural and underserved populations. Roli Singh serves as its Mission Director.
- Has Roli Singh worked at the central government level? Yes, she has been on central deputation since December 2021, serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- What is Roli Singh’s role in the National Medical Commission (NMC)? She was appointed as an ex-officio member of the NMC in April 2022, contributing to policies related to medical education and practice in India.
- How long has Roli Singh been in the IAS? As of 2025, Roli Singh has been in the IAS for nearly 28 years, having joined in 1994.
- What is Roli Singh’s leadership style? She is known for her empathetic, strategic, and results-oriented leadership, with a focus on collaboration and data-driven decision-making.
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