Surat’s First Woman Deputy Municipal Commissioner Swati Desai Resigns, Cites Family Responsibilities

Surat, Feb. 14, 2026 — Swati Desai, the first woman to serve as Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), has submitted her resignation, citing family responsibilities and the need to care for her 11-year-old twin children.

Desai tendered her resignation to Municipal Commissioner M. Nagarajan on Thursday. Her resignation will be placed before the Standing Committee and later the General Board of the SMC for formal approval.

Decision Rooted in Work-Life Balance

Speaking about her decision, Desai said the demands of her role made it difficult to devote adequate time to her children’s education and well-being.

“I am responsible for my twins. I have been working for 12 hours every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, so I did not have time to take care of them, which affected their education,” she said.

She added that she would monitor her children’s activities through her mobile phone during office hours, but felt that it was not enough.

Her in-laws currently reside in a village near Surat, while her husband works in a private firm in the city.

No External Pressure

Desai clarified that her resignation was a personal decision and not influenced by any external pressure.

She has not yet decided on her next course of action, as the resignation remains subject to approval.

Two-Decade Civic Career

Desai joined the SMC in 2007 as a clerk in the accounts department. In 2017, at the age of 32, she became the first woman Municipal Secretary of Surat.

In 2021, she was promoted to Deputy Municipal Commissioner and later headed the Udhna zone.

Having completed nearly 20 years of service, Desai still had approximately 15 years remaining in her tenure.

Her resignation marks the end of a significant chapter in Surat’s civic administration.