Odisha administrative and police recruitment

The Odisha government is addressing various personnel shortages within its administrative and law enforcement sectors. In early September, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presided over the induction of 336 new Sub-Inspectors at the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy. While the administration emphasized ‘smart policing’ and the creation of 17,794 new police posts, opposition leader Naveen Patnaik criticized the government regarding a 2025 recruitment crisis caused by a question-paper leak.

Regarding the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Chief Minister reported to the Odisha Legislative Assembly that the state faces a 15 per cent vacancy rate in its sanctioned cadre. Of the 248 approved positions, 212 officers are currently in service, though 25 of those are on central deputation, leaving 187 serving within the state. The government intends to fill the 36 vacant posts through direct recruitment and promotions.

In late September, the Chief Minister also disclosed deficiencies in public safety compliance, noting that only 17 out of 241 government hospitals required to have valid fire safety certificates currently hold them. This represents just over 7 per cent of facilities covered under the Odisha Fire Safety Rules, 2017.

On September 30, a 12-hour state-wide bandh was called by the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) and Naba Nirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan to protest alleged errors in school textbooks for Classes I to VIII. Protesters have demanded the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond and the distribution of corrected materials. In response to the shutdown, the Odisha Sub-ordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) rescheduled counselling for several district cadre posts to October 6. The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, clarified that scheduled examinations, including the OSSTET 2026, will proceed as planned.