Jaya Varma Sinha Appointed as First Woman Chairperson & CEO of Railway Board

In a historic move, Jaya Varma Sinha has been appointed as the Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, becoming the first woman to hold this prestigious position in the history of Indian railways. The Ministry of Railways confirmed her tenure via Twitter today.

Jaya Varma Sinha, previously serving as a Member with responsibilities for Operations and Business Development on the Railway Board, has a remarkable career spanning over 35 years within the Indian Railways. During her tenure, she managed freight and passenger services across the vast Indian Railways network.

She began her journey in the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) in 1988 and has held various significant roles, including Member (Operations & Business Development) on the Railway Board, Additional Member for Traffic Transportation on the Railway Board, and roles in operations, commercial, IT, and vigilance.

Notably, Sinha made history as the first woman appointed as the Principal Chief Operations Manager of the South Eastern Railway. Her contributions extended beyond India's borders as she served as the Railway Advisor in the High Commission of India in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she played a pivotal role in inaugurating the renowned Maitri Express, connecting Kolkata and Dhaka.

Sinha recently gained attention for her role in explaining the complex signalling system following the tragic Balasore accident, which resulted in the loss of nearly 300 lives.

Apart from her illustrious career in the railways, Sinha is an alumna of Allahabad University and has a passion for photography, showcasing her diverse talents and accomplishments.