Senior Odisha cadre IAS officer Sujata R. Karthikeyan has been allowed voluntary retirement from government service from March 13, 2025. The permission was conveyed to Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, which waived the mandatory three-month notice period.

Karthikeyan, an Odisha's Kendrapara district native and 2000-batch IAS officer, was working as the Special Secretary in the state Finance Department. Her husband, VK Pandian, also went for voluntary retirement in October 2023 prior to joining the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). But he retired from active politics after the BJD lost the 2024 assembly elections, which marked the end of the party's 24-year rule.

During her tenure, Karthikeyan was the driving force behind various development projects in Odisha. She was the driving force behind initiating the Mamata Yojana, a cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women, and spearheaded the Mission Shakti movement, which empowered women self-help groups (SHGs) by availing interest-free loans for small-scale industries.

In 2006, as the Sundargarh district collector, Karthikeyan introduced eggs into the mid-day meal program in government schools to enhance child nutrition. The program was later extended to the entire state. She also launched a bicycle program for secondary school students under the slogan "Mobility is Empowerment," which greatly enhanced enrollment in schools, especially among girls.

Karthikeyan's service was characterised by her commitment to empowerment of women and children. Her leadership of Mission Shakti reached about 70 lakh women in Odisha, promoting economic self-reliance and grassroots development.

Her voluntary retirement culminates in a long, illustrious public service career as a legacy of successful programmes which have touched and changed the lives of many Odisha people.