Chandrakala made headlines in 2016 while working as the District Magistrate (DM) of Bulandshahr.
Published: September 17, 2025 1:49 PM IST
The bureaucratic landscape of Uttar Pradesh has, in the past, produced officers who have attracted national headlines — some are known for their exemplary work, while others are recognized for their proactive actions. B. Chandrakala, famously known as the “Lady Singham”, is one of those officers. Recently, she has once again been in the news headlines.
The Uttar Pradesh government announced a major reshuffle of its bureaucracy on Tuesday evening, which included the transfer of 16 IAS officers, including the commissioners of the Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Bareilly divisions.
Where has B. Chandrakala has been posted now?
IAS officer B, Chandrakala has been posted as Secretary of the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department and will also serve as CEO of the UP Clean Air Management Project Authority. Previously, IAS officer B. Chandrakala was serving as Secretary of the Women and Child Development and Nutrition Department.
Who is IAS B. Chandrakala, and why is she called ‘Lady Singham’?
B. Chandrakala is not just another bureaucrat; she is a name that has been resonating not just in the state of Uttar Pradesh but all over India. She is famous for her outrageous orders, surprise inspections, and results-oriented approach to administration, and has been publicly nicknamed “Lady Singham” and “Dabangg.”
What are the reasons behind her recent transfer by the Yogi government?
B. Chandrakala, who is from Karimnagar in Telangana, successfully passed the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2007, obtaining an outstanding All India Rank(AIR) of 409 in the 2007 Civil Services Exam with a total of 1,078 marks out of a possible 2,078. Her UPSC roll number was 015080.
B. Chandrakala gained fame after many of her surprise inspections became wildly popular on the internet. In those videos, she appears to approach civic officials or some construction projects, often catching them off guard, or raises concerns over things like poorly kept sanitation or the use of inferior materials.
Between 2012 and 2017, she served as the District Magistrate of five districts of Uttar Pradesh: Hamirpur, Mathura, Bulandshahr, Bijnor, and Meerut. She has often been in the public eye for her controversial statements and strict administrative style.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- IAS officer B. Chandrakala. Chandrakala has been posted as Secretary of the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department.
- B. Chandrakala gained fame after many of her surprise inspections became wildly popular on the internet.
- She has been publicly nicknamed “Lady Singham” and “Dabangg.”
- Previously, IAS officer B. Chandrakala was serving as Secretary of the Women and Child Development and Nutrition Department.
Chandrakala made headlines in 2016 while working as the District Magistrate (DM) of Bulandshahr when she had an 18-year-old boy arrested for taking a photograph with her without permission, as per media reports. After this incident, Chandrakala became known as “Lady Singham”.
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