Ms Rita Menon is a postgraduate in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. She taught Economics at the Miranda House, University of Delhi for 2 years 1973-75 before joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1975 and held a number of senior positions in Government of India and in the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
She served as the Chairperson and Managing Director, ITPO, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Textiles, Special Secretary/Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure; Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence, Joint Secretary and Director in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. As Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, she was instrumental in strategy formulation for indigenous warship building by the Department of Defence Production through Public Sector Shipyards and advanced electronic systems for the 3 Services for addressing capital/platform build up weapon procurement issues and security concerns.
As Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, she was driven by her vision for exploring new markets and played a pivotal role in enhancing Indian presence in major markets through larger export promotion shows and various skill development programs for industrial workers. Ms. Rita Menon enhanced India’s image in trade and industry in both international and domestic markets which resulted in a boom in textiles exports, causing a huge surge from USD 18 billion to USD 34 billion.
While with the Uttar Pradesh government, she served as Managing Director UP Finance Corporation, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Greater Noida Development Authority, Commissioner and Director of Industries and Vice Chairperson of the Ghaziabad Development Authority apart from field level and secretariat posts. Ms. Menon is deeply committed to second generation reforms in the Indian Industry best represented by labor reforms, trade liberalization, and financial sector reform. She remains keenly interested in Policy formulation and continued service to the Nation in her spheres of policy expertise.