Early Life & Education
Chanchal Rana was born on November 23, 1988 in NALCO Nagar, Angul district, Odisha, to Anil Kant Rana (NALCO employee) and Banajyotsna (homemaker) (Syskool). The family originally hails from West Midnapore, West Bengal. A bright student, he pursued an Electrical Engineering degree at NIT Silchar, where he served as the college student union’s General Secretary, sharpening early leadership skills (Syskool).
Engineering Career & UPSC Journey
Post-graduation in 2010, Chanchal joined Indian Oil Corporation at its Barauni refinery. Despite this secure start, his eyes were set on public service. He attempted the UPSC Civil Services Examination three times:
-
First attempt – reached interview stage.
-
Second – secured AIR 219 and an IPS service position.
-
Third (2013) – achieved AIR 7, successfully entering the IAS (Syskool, The Indian Express).
He chose Geography as his optional subject, a choice that paid off in both written exams and interview preparation (Syskool).
Administrative Career & Impactful Postings
Following his training at LBSNAA, Chanchal held several key roles across Odisha:
-
Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) – Managed local development and disaster response.
-
District Collector – Led education, SHG, and disaster preparedness initiatives.
-
State Secretariat Officer – Contributed to rural electrification and renewable energy policy.
In these roles, he consistently implemented data-backed policies and prioritized community-grounded solutions.
Project “Sweekruti” – Championing Transgender Inclusion
As Collector, Balangir, Chanchal implemented the path-breaking Sweekruti initiative. In July 2020, the district administration under his leadership launched a program granting dignified employment opportunities to transgender individuals—ranging from managing parking lots to municipal sanitation and waste collection (The Indian Express, Weconstek).
This effort earned him The Indian Express Excellence in Governance Award (Gender & Inclusion category) (The Indian Express). Beneficiaries like Premananda Sahu and Jairaj Nag now earn ₹7,000–10,000 monthly, free from the stigma of begging or marginalization (The Indian Express).
Recent Role: Collector of Puri District (June 2025)
On June 29, 2025, Chanchal was appointed Collector of Puri District, shortly after a tragic stampede during that year’s Rath Yatra. He rapidly took action—meeting victim families, announcing ₹25 lakh ex-gratia payments, suspending negligent officers, and establishing a formal inquiry to restore public confidence (Weconstek).
He’s focused on:
-
Enhancing crowd management and emergency protocols.
-
Seamlessly integrating heritage tourism and festival safety.
-
Modernizing public services while preserving cultural heritage.
Personal Life & Partnerships
-
Chanchal was earlier married to Swadha Dev, IAS (2014 batch) (Weconstek).
-
In February 2023, he got engaged to IAS Ananya Das (2015 batch, Gujarat cadre), herself a topper and accomplished administrator (angikar.co.in). The announcement sparked social media interest due to their high-profile roles .
-
He enjoys yoga, reading history/political biographies, and cultural exploration with Ananya.
⚖️ Recent News & Controversies
-
Puri Appointment: His appointment following the Rath Yatra tragedy was widely noted, with expectations mounted for improved public safety measures (Weconstek)—no specific controversies have emerged in this transition.
-
“Dugdh Kranti” Dairy Project: Multiple local reports highlight his efforts in rural dairy initiatives in Puri to boost farmer incomes. This “milk revolution” earned regional attention (angikar.co.in).
No reports of formal allegations or enquiries were found. His career, though at times subject to scrutiny typical of IAS officials, remains free of controversy.
📌 Top Interesting Facts
Fact | Detail |
---|---|
UPSC Rank | AIR 7 in 2013, highest across Odisha that year |
Engineering Roots | A B.Tech from NIT Silchar and ex-IOC Barauni engineer |
Geography Optional | Chosen for its logic and alignment with GS papers |
Sweekruti Initiative | First IAS-led transgender employment scheme in Odisha |
Governance Award | Honored by Indian Express for gender inclusion (2023) |
Power Couple | Engaged to fellow UPSC topper and district collector, Ananya Das |
❓FAQs
Q: Who is Chanchal Rana married to?
A: Initially married to IAS Swadha Dev, he became engaged to IAS Ananya Das in February 2023 (angikar.co.in, Weconstek, Syskool, The Indian Express).
Q: What is Project Sweekruti?
A: A pioneering transgender employment initiative launched in Balangir under Chanchal’s leadership, providing dignified jobs and fostering social inclusion (The Indian Express).
Q: Why was he appointed Puri Collector?
A: Following a fatal stampede during Rath Yatra, the Odisha government appointed him on June 29, 2025, seeking swift administrative action and public reassurance (Weconstek).
Q: What is his educational background?
A: B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from NIT Silchar, followed by IAS entry in 2013.
Q: Has he faced any controversies?
A: None major. His career has been praised for integrity and innovation, with no reported investigations or scandals.
✅ Final Thoughts
Chanchal Rana represents both technical acumen and human-centered governance. From engineering to social integration efforts like Sweekruti, and managing crisis-prone environments, he blends empathy with efficiency. As Collector of Puri, all eyes are on his next move—balancing Odisha’s deep-rooted traditions with modern-day accountability and innovation.
Comments
Post a Comment