Noida: In a historic development, IAS officer Medha Roopam has officially assumed charge as the first woman District Magistrate (DM) of Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida). With a stellar career trajectory, prestigious academic credentials, and an inspiring personal journey from being a national-level rifle shooter to a top bureaucrat, Roopam’s appointment marks a significant milestone in India’s administrative landscape.
A 2014-batch IAS officer, Roopam took charge at the Collectorate Office in Surajpur, Greater Noida, on July 30. She succeeds Manish Kumar Verma, who has been transferred as the DM of Prayagraj. Her appointment was part of a reshuffle involving 23 IAS officers ordered by the Uttar Pradesh Government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
A Legacy of Service
Medha Roopam hails from an illustrious background. She is the daughter of Gyanesh Kumar, the current Chief Election Commissioner of India and a retired 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. Kumar has earlier served as Union Home Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Academic Brilliance & Administrative Experience
Born in Agra, Medha completed her schooling in Kerala and earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. In 2014, she secured the 10th All India Rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Roopam began her administrative career as Assistant Magistrate in Bareilly and has since held key positions in Meerut, Hapur, and Kasganj.
She also served as Additional CEO of the Greater Noida Authority from February 2023 to June 2024, contributing to critical urban planning and infrastructure development.
A Champion in and Outside the Arena
Beyond bureaucracy, Medha Roopam is a three-time gold medalist in the Kerala State Shooting Championships, proving her mettle as a national-level rifle shooter. Her dedication to public service has also earned her public admiration; in September 2024, a video of her conducting an on-ground inspection from a tractor in flood-prone villages went viral, highlighting her hands-on approach.
Her husband, Manish Bansal, also belongs to the 2014 IAS batch and is currently posted in Saharanpur.
Symbol of Women Empowerment
Roopam’s elevation as the DM of one of Uttar Pradesh’s most prominent districts is being hailed as a significant moment for women in leadership roles across India’s civil services. Her appointment is not just an individual achievement but a step forward for inclusive governance and gender representation in top administrative roles.
As she begins her tenure, expectations are high that her dynamic leadership will bring meaningful reforms and responsive governance to the people of Gautam Buddh Nagar.
