Maharashtra IAS Reshuffle: Minal Karanwal Appointed Project Director of PoCRA

​MUMBAI – In a significant administrative reshuffle aimed at strengthening the state’s agricultural and rural governance, the Government of Maharashtra has appointed Minal Karanwal (IAS: 2019) as the new Project Director of the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivanee Project (PoCRA) in Mumbai.

​Karanwal, who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zilla Parishad in Jalgaon, takes over the leadership of one of the state’s most critical climate-resilient agriculture initiatives.

​Strategic Leadership for Climate Resilience

​The appointment comes as part of a larger transfer of 11 IAS officers across the state. The Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivanee Project is a multi-billion rupee initiative, largely funded by the World Bank, designed to enhance the climate resilience and profitability of small and marginal farmers in Maharashtra’s most vulnerable regions.

​During her tenure in Jalgaon, Karanwal was noted for her focus on rural development and administrative efficiency. Her transition to the PoCRA project is seen as a move to leverage her field-level experience in managing large-scale agricultural sustainability programs.

​Brief About Minal Karanwal

​An alumna of St. Stephen’s College and an All India Rank (AIR) 35 holder in the 2018 UPSC Civil Services Examination, Minal Karanwal has quickly risen through the ranks of the Maharashtra cadre. Known for her analytical approach and emphasis on grassroots implementation, her role at PoCRA is expected to accelerate the project’s mission of transforming rain-fed agriculture into a more sustainable and climate-ready model.

​The administrative changes are effective immediately as the state prepares to streamline policy execution ahead of the upcoming fiscal cycle.

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