The correct answer is C: Karnataka.

Vandita Sharma took charge as the 39th Chief Secretary of Karnataka, taking over from P. Ravi Kumar. She was the fourth woman to hold this post and served until November 2023.

Other women holding senior positions in the Karnataka state secretariat at the time:

• M.K. Vishalakshi — Secretary of State Legislative Assembly
• K.R. Mahalakshmi — Secretary of Legislative Council

Additional Information — Firsts for Women in Indian Administration:

• Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit: First woman cabinet minister in India (1937), heading the Local Self-Government and Public Health Ministry.
• Pratibha Patil: First woman Governor of a state and first woman President of India.
• Sucheta Kriplani: First elected woman Chief Minister of any Indian state.
• Binita Thakur: First woman official appointed in the Special Protection Group (SPG), guarding the Prime Minister of India.