Uma Mahadevan

Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, India, is a senior IAS officer and pioneering public administrator with over 30 years in service. As former Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development, she led critical reforms in Karnataka’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), expanded outreach of Angan wadis, and improved maternal-child nutrition outcomes. She emphasizes convergence between panchayats and frontline workers in delivering ECD services. Her innovative use of data, grassroots institutions, and behavior change communication has positioned Karnataka as a model for integrated early childhood care and education.