Who Is IAS Preeti Maithil Nayak? Labourer’s Daughter Who Secured AIR 92 in First Attempt, Now Empanelled for Joint Secretary Posts
The 2009-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre officer, who cleared UPSC Civil Services Examination 2008 at the age of 23, is currently serving as General Manager (Director level) at TRIFED in Bhopal.
The Government of India has empanelled 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Preeti Maithil Nayak of the Madhya Pradesh cadre for appointment to Joint Secretary or equivalent-level positions at the Centre.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the empanelment notification on October 28, 2026. Her case had initially been placed in the left-over category before receiving clearance.
Preeti Maithil is currently serving as General Manager (Director level) at the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in Bhopal, looking after the Madhya Pradesh region. Her present assignment is classified as a non-Central Staffing Scheme (Non-CSS) post.
Beyond this latest career development, Maithil is known for her inspiring journey from a financially struggling family to the IAS. The daughter of a daily-wage labourer, she secured All India Rank (AIR) 92 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2008 in her very first attempt, at the age of 23.
Who Is IAS Preeti Maithil Nayak?
Preeti Maithil Nayak is a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Born on July 5, 1985, in Sehore, near Bhopal, she grew up in a family that faced considerable financial challenges.
Her father, Santosh Kumar, worked as a casual labourer at Bhopal Sugar Mills. After losing his job, he turned to small-scale farming to support the family.Despite limited financial resources, her parents prioritised the education of their children. Preeti’s academic achievements eventually took her from Sehore to the country’s prestigious civil services.
Early Life: Overcoming Financial Hardship
Maithil’s early years were marked by financial uncertainty. Her father’s job at Bhopal Sugar Mills provided the family with a modest income, but his subsequent loss of employment forced them to depend on farming and other limited sources of livelihood.
The circumstances did not deter her from pursuing education. She remained academically strong throughout her school years, with her parents playing a crucial role in supporting her studies.
Her eventual success in the UPSC examination brought attention to the journey of a young woman who overcame economic hardship to secure one of India’s most sought-after administrative positions.
Education: Agriculture Graduate and Gold Medalist
Preeti completed her schooling at Sharda Vidhya Mandir Higher Secondary School, where she was reportedly among the top-performing students. She went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture at Rafi Ahmed Kidwai College of Agriculture in Sehore, affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur.
She earned a gold medal for her academic performance during graduation. Her academic background in agriculture also shaped her choice of optional subjects for the Civil Services Examination.
UPSC Success: AIR 92 in Her First Attempt
After graduation, Preeti moved to New Delhi to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She chose Agriculture and Geography as her optional subjects. According to accounts of her preparation, she followed a rigorous study routine, sometimes studying for up to 14 hours a day.
Her efforts paid off when she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2008 in her first attempt, securing AIR 92 at just 23 years of age. Her achievement was particularly notable given her family’s financial circumstances. She subsequently joined the IAS as a member of the 2009 batch and was allocated the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
Administrative Career: Collector of Sagar, Rewa and Mandla
Following her entry into the IAS, Preeti Maithil served in several important administrative positions in Madhya Pradesh. Her district-level assignments included postings as Collector and District Magistrate of Sagar, Rewa and Mandla.
As District Collector, an officer is responsible for coordinating district administration, implementing government programmes, overseeing revenue administration and monitoring development initiatives.
These assignments gave her experience in grassroots governance and the implementation of government policies at the district level. Her career has also included responsibilities in state government departments dealing with agriculture-related development, horticulture, food processing and administration.
Served in Horticulture Department and Chief Minister’s Office
Apart from district administration, Maithil has held senior responsibilities in the Madhya Pradesh government. Her assignments have included Commissioner-cum-Director and Secretary-level roles in the Horticulture and Food Processing Department.
The department works on horticultural development, agricultural diversification, food processing and support for producers. She has also served as Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. The assignment provided her with experience in high-level administrative coordination and government decision-making.
Currently Serving as General Manager at TRIFED
Preeti Maithil is presently serving as General Manager (Director level) at the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) in Bhopal, with responsibility for the Madhya Pradesh region.
Operating under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED works to promote tribal products, strengthen marketing opportunities and support livelihood development among tribal communities. The organisation connects tribal producers and artisans with markets and facilitates opportunities to improve their incomes.
Her current assignment is a non-Central Staffing Scheme post. While some biographical profiles describe her designation as Deputy General Manager, the latest appointment information identifies her as General Manager (Director level).
Recognition for Grassroots Administration
Over the course of her career, Maithil has been associated with initiatives concerning grassroots development, public health, nutrition and community participation. Biographical information also credits her with receiving the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration.
However, the award year and the specific initiative associated with the recognition have not been established in the information available and require confirmation from an official award record.Her administrative experience spans district governance, state-level responsibilities and work related to tribal livelihoods.
What Does Joint Secretary Empanelment Mean?
Empanelment for Joint Secretary or equivalent-level positions is an important career milestone for senior IAS officers. It involves an assessment of an officer’s suitability for senior assignments in the Government of India.
Joint Secretaries play a significant role in policy formulation, programme implementation, administrative coordination and supervision of divisions within central ministries and departments.
Preeti Maithil’s empanelment makes her eligible for consideration for such positions. However, empanelment does not mean that she has already been appointed Joint Secretary in a particular ministry. A separate appointment order would be required for any specific posting.
DoPT Clears Her Case After Left-Over Category Consideration
According to the DoPT notification dated October 28, 2026, Maithil’s case had initially been placed in the left-over category before being cleared for empanelment. The development marks another milestone in the career of the Madhya Pradesh cadre officer, whose journey began with her selection in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2008.
From her early years in Sehore and her family’s financial struggles to district administration, state-level assignments and her current role at TRIFED, her career reflects a progression through several areas of public administration. With her empanelment, she is now eligible to be considered for senior policy-making and administrative responsibilities in the Central Government.
