Amneet P. Kumar has built a distinguished career in public service, holding leadership positions in critical state departments including Health, Finance, and Industrial Development. Alongside her administrative roles, she has continued her academic journey and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Health Economics at IIT Madras.
Her husband, Y. Puran Kumar, a senior Indian Police Service officer from the 2001 batch serving as Additional Director General of Police in Haryana, was found dead by suicide at his official residence in Chandigarh’s Sector 11 on Tuesday. The unexpected loss has deeply unsettled the police and administrative fraternity in the state.
At the time of the tragedy, Ms. Kumar, an IAS officer from the Haryana cadre (2001 batch), was on an official visit to Japan with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. She has since curtailed her foreign trip and is scheduled to return to India on October 8 morning.
Profile of IAS Amneet P. Kumar
Born on October 27, 1977, in Punjab, Amneet Kumar is counted among the senior and respected bureaucrats of Haryana. She earned a postgraduate degree in History from Panjab University and later completed her PhD in Health Economics at IIT Madras.
Over the years, she has been entrusted with diverse responsibilities in departments such as Women & Child Development, Finance, Health, and Industry. Her initiatives have left a strong imprint on state policy and governance.
One of her most notable contributions has been the introduction of Haryana’s “Playschool Policy,” a first-of-its-kind framework designed to protect child rights and ensure quality preschool education. She also played a crucial role in strengthening the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” programme in the state.
Her dedication has been recognized through multiple national awards, including the Director’s Gold Medal from LBSNAA, the SKOCH Gold Award, the Indian Express Public Healthcare Award (2018), the Outlook Nutrition Award (2019), and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Good Governance Award (2020).
Current Roles and Responsibilities
Presently, Ms. Kumar holds the position of Commissioner and Secretary, Department of the Future, Government of Haryana. In addition, she has been assigned additional responsibilities in the Civil Aviation Department and the Foreign Cooperation Department. She also oversees the Women and Child Development portfolio, where her work has been particularly appreciated for advancing child welfare policies.
Background and Broader Impact
Both Y. Puran Kumar and Amneet Kumar belonged to the 2001 civil services batch and first crossed paths during their training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie. The sudden demise of the senior IPS officer has sparked serious discussions on the mental health and professional challenges faced by top-level officers.
Amneet P. Kumar’s academic achievements, professional awards, and leadership record reflect her resilience, dedication, and the value of a strong educational foundation in public service.
