Nagpur’s Vrunda Manohar Desai, IRS (Income Tax) of 2003 batch, has been appointed as the Textile Commissioner, Mumbai, under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in a distinguished career spanning over two decades in public service. A native of Nagpur, Desai completed her schooling at Mount Carmel Girls’ High School and Somalwar High School, and secured 17th rank in the Maharashtra State Merit List in the Class X Board Examination.

 

She thereafter pursued her Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics from the then RKNEC. Driven by a commitment to public service, she appeared for the Civil Services Examination and secured an impressive All India Rank 80 in 2003, following which she was allotted the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax). After completing 16 months of professional training at the NADT, Nagpur, Desai began her career as Assistant Commissioner at Nagpur. She went on to serve in the Investigation Wing at Meerut and Agra, the Corporate Ranges at Bareilly and Varanasi, the Central Range at Kanpur, and also handled the International Taxation charge in New Delhi. Desai was later appointed as Director (Broadcasting) in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Central Secretariat Service (CSS) deputation for five years. In 2024, she was empanelled as Joint Secretary to the Government of India and served as Joint Secretary (Films).

 

In this role, she contributed significantly to policy initiatives in the films sector, film facilitation, international co-production and co-operation, and represented India at major international film platforms, including the Cannes International Film Festival, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival. She also played an important role in organising the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa. Recently, Desai served as Additional Director General of Foreign Trade (Addl DGFT) in the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Desai is the daughter of Advocate Manohar Desai and Usha Desai, proprietors of M/s Desai Motor School, which recently completed 50 years of service. Her husband, Gaurav Dayal, IAS (2004 batch), is currently Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Navi Mumbai.