Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday appointed Prof Mamta Mokta, one of HPU’s most prominent academics and a respected voice on public administration,
as a member of the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC).
A notification issued by the Chief Secretary said she will serve a six-year term or until she turns 62.
Prof Mokta’s appointment is being seen as a strong move to bring experience, academic rigour and governance insight into the state’s top recruitment body.
She has spent over three decades in teaching, research and public service, and is widely regarded for her work on good governance, public service delivery, policy reforms, women’s issues and development administration.
At present, she is the Dean Students’ Welfare and Chairperson of the Public Administration Department at Himachal Pradesh University.
She was also shortlisted as a candidate for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, reflecting her stature in the academic community and the confidence the institution has in her leadership abilities.
Over the years, she has held several leadership roles at HPU — including Dean of Social Sciences, Director of Women’s Studies, and Director of the Integrated Institute of Himalayan Studies — giving her a rare breadth of academic and administrative experience.
What sets Prof Mokta apart is the scale of her academic contribution. A Gold Medalist in Public Administration, she has published seven books, written over 80 research papers, guided 15 PhD scholars, presented more than 100 papers in national and international seminars, and delivered over 200 invited lectures across the country.
Her research projects, funded by the UGC and state agencies, span women entrepreneurship, child sex ratio, police reforms and flood management.
Beyond the university, she has served on government committees, internal complaints bodies, academic councils, AIR and Doordarshan selection panels, and led several teachers’ and authors’ associations. Colleagues describe her as a “hands-on academic” who blends scholarship with ground realities.
With her appointment, the HPPSC gets a member who brings administrative depth, academic excellence and a strong grounding in public governance — qualities long felt necessary to strengthen fair and transparent recruitment processes.
After her appointment Prof Mamta Mokta along with her husband Dr Ravinder Mokta paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Chief Minister extended his best wishes to her as she takes on this important responsibility. "May she serve the state with dedication and contribute to a bright and efficient future for the Commission.”
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