Life & Legacy
Early Life
Parul Das was born on 2 April 1950 in Shillong, then part of undivided Assam. She belonged to a well-known family with a strong tradition of public service. Her father, Ramnath Das, was a respected Cabinet Minister in the Government of Assam, while her mother was Urmila Devi. Her younger brother, Naba Kumar Das, later served as the Chief Secretary of Assam. Growing up in an environment that valued education and public welfare greatly influenced her future career.
Education
Parul Das completed her schooling from Loreto Convent School, Shillong. She graduated in History from Indraprastha College, University of Delhi. She later obtained a Master's degree in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. Expanding her academic expertise further, she earned a Master of Science degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, United Kingdom. Her outstanding educational background equipped her with strong analytical and administrative skills that later defined her successful civil service career.
IAS Career
Parul Das joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1975 and became the first woman IAS officer from Assam. During the initial phase of her career, she served in the Government of Meghalaya, where she held several significant administrative assignments including Sub-Divisional Officer at Nongpoh, Director of Tourism, Joint Secretary of the Education, Youth and Sports Department, Secretary of the Home (Police) Department, Political Department, Special Secretary to the Governor, and Commissioner and Secretary of Social Welfare, Cooperation, Relief and Rehabilitation Departments.
In 1995, her services were transferred to the Government of Assam, where she continued to hold several senior leadership positions. She served as Commissioner of Upper Assam and Lower Assam divisions, Principal Secretary of the Personnel Department and later became the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam. Throughout her career, she was associated with departments dealing with education, social welfare, housing, textiles, water resources, infrastructure, personnel administration and urban development. She retired from the IAS in April 2010 after an exemplary career.
Following her retirement, she continued serving society as a Member of the Assam Police Accountability Commission from 2014, contributing her vast administrative experience to strengthen accountability and good governance.
International Representation
Parul Das represented India at several important international conferences. She led the Indian delegation to the UNESCO World Youth Congress in Spain in 1985. She also participated in the Commonwealth Conference on Women held in Fiji in 2004, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, and the Beijing Plus 10 Review Conference in 2005. Her participation reflected her expertise in governance, women's development and public policy at the international level.
Major Achievements
- First woman from Assam to join the Indian Administrative Service.
- Member of the 1975 Assam-Meghalaya IAS cadre.
- Retired as Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam.
- Served in numerous senior administrative positions in Assam and Meghalaya.
- Represented India at several international conferences on governance and women's empowerment.
- Contributed significantly to public administration, social welfare, education and infrastructure development.
- Served as Member of the Assam Police Accountability Commission after retirement.
- Recognized for integrity, efficiency and administrative excellence throughout her career.
Positions Held
- Indian Administrative Service Officer (1975 Batch)
- Sub-Divisional Officer, Nongpoh
- Director of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya
- Joint Secretary, Education, Youth and Sports Department
- Secretary, Home (Police) Department
- Special Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya
- Commissioner and Secretary of various Government Departments
- Commissioner, Upper Assam
- Commissioner, Lower Assam
- Principal Secretary, Personnel Department, Government of Assam
- Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Assam
- Member, Assam Police Accountability Commission
Awards and Recognition
Although Parul Das was not widely associated with civilian awards, she earned immense respect within administrative circles for her distinguished public service. She is remembered as the first woman IAS officer from Assam and a pioneering civil servant who broke barriers for women in the state's bureaucracy. Her dedication, integrity and leadership continue to inspire aspiring civil servants across Assam.
Death
Parul Das passed away on 26 April 2021 at Apollo Hospital, Guwahati, due to complications arising from COVID-19. She was 71 years old. Her demise was widely mourned by the Government of Assam, retired civil servants, colleagues and citizens who remembered her for her professionalism, humility and exceptional contribution to public administration.
FAQs about Parul Das
1. Who was Parul Das?
Parul Das was the first woman from Assam to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and later served as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam.
2. Why is Parul Das famous in Assam?
She is renowned for becoming Assam's first woman IAS officer and for her outstanding contribution to public administration over more than three decades.
3. When was Parul Das born?
Parul Das was born on 2 April 1950 in Shillong.
4. What was Parul Das's educational qualification?
She studied at Loreto Convent School, graduated from Delhi University, earned a Master's in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics and an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics.
5. Which IAS batch did Parul Das belong to?
She belonged to the 1975 Assam-Meghalaya cadre of the Indian Administrative Service.
6. What important positions were held by Parul Das?
She served as Director of Tourism, Commissioner, Principal Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary of Assam and Member of the Assam Police Accountability Commission.
7. Did Parul Das represent India internationally?
Yes. She represented India at UNESCO, Commonwealth and United Nations conferences on youth development, women and public policy.
8. Who were the family members of Parul Das?
Her father was former Assam Cabinet Minister Ramnath Das, and her brother Naba Kumar Das served as the Chief Secretary of Assam.
9. When did Parul Das retire from the IAS?
She retired as Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam in April 2010.
10. When did Parul Das pass away?
Parul Das passed away on 26 April 2021 due to COVID-19-related complications at a hospital in Guwahati.
