Biography of Laya Madduri IAS

Laya Madduri is an IAS officer from the 2010 batch, allocated to the Assam/Meghalaya cadre, currently serving as Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance Department.
She is a mechanical engineer from BITS Pilani, worked as a software engineer, and cleared UPSC with the 201st rank.
Her career includes roles like Deputy Commissioner in Dibrugarh, Cachar, and State Project Director for ARIAS Society, with a focus on tourism and rural development.
In 2023, she was relieved from an additional charge in Cultural Affairs due to a cheque bounce incident, which drew public attention.

Early Life and Education

Laya Madduri, originally from Andhra Pradesh, pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering from BITS Pilani, one of India’s top technical institutes. Before joining the civil services, she gained professional experience as a software engineer in a multinational corporation. Her passion for public service led her to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, where she secured the 201st rank in 2010, marking her entry into the IAS with the Assam/Meghalaya cadre.

Career Highlights

Madduri’s career began with district-level administrative roles, serving as Deputy Commissioner in several key areas of Assam, including Sonitpur, Majuli, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh. Her tenure in Dibrugarh was notable for efforts to boost tourism, leveraging the region’s tea heritage and natural beauty, and she even compiled a coffee table book on Majuli, highlighting its cultural significance. In 2019, she took on the role of Deputy Commissioner in Cachar, focusing on governance and public service delivery.

Later, in 2020, she was appointed State Project Director for the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society, overseeing agricultural and rural development projects. Her career saw further elevation with an additional charge as Secretary to the Cultural Affairs Department, though she was relieved of this role in March 2023 following a cheque bounce incident involving awards, which sparked public and media scrutiny. As of April 2025, she holds the position of Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance Department, managing critical portfolios like Audit & Finance, Establishment Control-I, and Establishment Control-III.

Personal Interests and Legacy

Beyond her professional roles, Madduri is known for her cultural engagement with Assam, speaking fluent Assamese and learning Borgeet, a classical Assamese music form. She also enjoys painting in oil on canvas and watercolours, offering a creative balance to her demanding career. Her ability to connect with local cultures while driving development initiatives has been a defining aspect of her work.

An unexpected detail is her artistic pursuits, like compiling a coffee table book on Majuli, which showcases her interest in preserving cultural heritage alongside administrative duties.

Comprehensive Biography of Laya Madduri IAS

Laya Madduri stands as a prominent figure in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), belonging to the 2010 batch and allocated to the Assam/Meghalaya cadre. As of April 2025, she serves as Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance Department, managing critical portfolios such as Audit & Finance, Establishment Control-I, and Establishment Control-III. Her career, spanning over a decade, reflects a blend of technical expertise, administrative leadership, and a deep connection with the regions she has served, particularly in Assam. This note provides a detailed exploration of her background, career trajectory, achievements, and personal interests, drawing from various reliable sources to ensure accuracy and depth.

Background and Education

Laya Madduri hails from Andhra Pradesh, where she pursued her academic foundation in Mechanical Engineering at BITS Pilani, a prestigious technical institute in India. Before entering the civil services, she worked as a software engineer in a multinational corporation, gaining valuable professional experience in the corporate sector. Her transition to public service was marked by her success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2010, securing the 201st rank. This achievement not only highlighted her intellectual capabilities but also her determination, especially given that her first attempt had qualified her for the Indian Revenue Service, showcasing her early aptitude for governance roles. Her allocation to the Assam/Meghalaya cadre placed her in a region known for its diverse socio-economic and cultural challenges, setting the stage for a dynamic career.

Career Postings and Roles

Madduri’s IAS journey began with district-level administrative roles, where she demonstrated her ability to manage complex governance issues. She served as Deputy Commissioner in several key districts of Assam, including Sonitpur, Majuli, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh. Her tenure in Dibrugarh, a gateway to Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, was particularly noteworthy. As DC, she focused on unlocking the region’s tourism potential, leveraging its tea heritage and natural beauty to position it on the global tourism map. A significant contribution during this period was compiling a coffee table book on Majuli, which highlighted the island’s cultural and ecological significance, reflecting her interest in preserving local heritage alongside administrative duties.

In January 2019, she was transferred to Cachar as Deputy Commissioner, replacing S Lakshmanan, and continued to focus on improving governance and public service delivery in a district known for its strategic importance. Her leadership in Cachar was marked by efforts to enhance administrative efficiency and community engagement. In 2020, she took on the role of State Project Director for the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society, a position under the Agriculture Department that involved overseeing projects aimed at rural development and agricultural enhancement. This role underscored her versatility, transitioning from district administration to sector-specific initiatives.

Her career saw further elevation when she was given additional charge as Secretary to the Government of Assam, Cultural Affairs Department. However, this period was marred by controversy in March 2023, when she was relieved of this responsibility following an incident where cheques issued to awardees during the Assam State Film Awards bounced, drawing significant public and media attention. The incident, involving cheques signed by the Director of Cultural Affairs, Rabindra Bhawan, led to an inquiry and raised questions about departmental management, with the Assam government assuring resolution. Despite this, Madduri continued to serve in senior capacities, and as confirmed by the Finance Department’s official portal .she currently holds the position of Secretary to the Finance Department.

Achievements and Contributions

While specific accolades are not widely documented, Madduri’s achievements are evident in her leadership roles and contributions to Assam’s development. Becoming an IAS officer itself is considered a significant achievement, given the competitive nature of the UPSC examination, with only around 5000 IAS officers serving a populous country like India. Her work in Dibrugarh, particularly her efforts to promote tourism and her coffee table book on Majuli, stands out as a cultural contribution, blending administrative duties with heritage preservation. Her fluency in Assamese and learning of Borgeet, a classical Assamese music form, further illustrate her integration into the region’s cultural fabric, enhancing her effectiveness as an administrator.

Her roles in rural development through ARIAS Society and her current position in the Finance Department highlight her ability to handle diverse and critical portfolios, contributing to Assam’s governance and financial stability. However, the 2023 cheque bounce incident remains a point of controversy, reflecting the challenges of managing large departments and the scrutiny public servants face, especially in high-profile roles.

Personal Interests and Cultural Engagement

Beyond her professional commitments, Laya Madduri is known for her cultural engagement with Assam, a region she has served extensively. She speaks fluent Assamese, a testament to her immersion in local life, and has taken an interest in learning Borgeet, a traditional Assamese music form. Her artistic pursuits include painting, both in oil on canvas and watercolours on handmade paper, offering a creative outlet amidst the demands of her administrative roles. These interests not only provide personal balance but also enhance her connection with the communities she serves, making her a relatable and effective leader.

Summary Table of Career Postings

*Year*	*Role*	*Location/Department*
2010	IAS Officer, Training	Assam/Meghalaya Cadre
Early Career	Deputy Commissioner	Sonitpur, Majuli, Jorhat, Dibrugarh
2019	Deputy Commissioner	Cachar
2020	State Project Director	ARIAS Society, Agriculture Dept.
Post-2020	Additional Charge, Secretary	Cultural Affairs Department
2023	Relieved from Cultural Affairs	Due to cheque bounce incident
April 2025	Secretary	Finance Department, Assam

This table encapsulates her career progression, highlighting key transitions and roles, and underscores her versatility across district administration, sectoral projects, and senior policy-making.

In conclusion, Laya Madduri’s biography is a narrative of dedication, adaptability, and cultural integration, with her current role in finance marking a significant milestone. Her contributions, while occasionally shadowed by controversy, reflect the challenges and rewards of public service in a diverse and dynamic region like Assam.