Smt. Prajakta L Verma is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service officer with over 22 years of extensive experience in public policy and public administration. She is a strong generalist who identifies herself as a development practitioner, dabbling in detail, in matters of the communities – be it education, nutrition, livelihood or women empowerment!  With a proven track record of change management through community owned approaches, she resolved the long pending issue of rehabilitation of project affected persons for the prestigious Navi Mumbai International Airport, peacefully with their support and deep engagement.

Currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Textiles, Smt  Verma has emerged as a driving force behind various sustainability initiatives catalyzing the textile industry and has  successfully mainstreamed sustainability and circularity into the warp and weft of the Ministry. She has been instrumental in building collaborations with the industry to establish and build our very own Indian cotton brand, Kasturi, which is certified, authentic and traceable.

Smt. Verma's proactive approach is reflected in her advocacy for women-led upcyclers and zero-waste brands, championing their endeavors to create a more sustainable and inclusive marketplace. Such empowered women choosing the path less travelled, give her the inspiration and hope to transcend challenges whose solutions elude markets and sometimes even the State. With a collaborative approach that fosters dialogue and consensus building, she believes in leading from the front, albeit with kindness and trust.