# Odisha DGP selection process dispute and interim leadership

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/odisha-dgp-selection-process-dispute
> Updated: 2026-08-21T13:22:01.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 4.

The Odisha government initiated a leadership transition within its police force by promoting senior IPS officers Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP). These promotions occurred as the incumbent DGP, Y B Khurania, prepared for retirement on August 16.

Following these developments, the Supreme Court of India intervened in the selection process. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant directed the Union Public Service Commission to defer the finalization of the next DGP until August 18. This delay follows a Public Interest Litigation alleging that the selection process violates the ‘Prakash Singh judgment’ on police reforms. The dispute centers on whether the eligibility list was improperly expanded from three DGP-ranked officers to 11 officers, including eight ADG-ranked officials, after the selection process had already commenced. Amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran supported contentions that the current process violates Supreme Court guidelines.

To ensure continuity following Y B Khurania’s retirement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi appointed Vinaytosh Mishra, a 1993-batch IPS officer and current Crime Branch DGP, to hold additional charge as interim Odisha DGP effective August 16. Mishra will serve in this capacity until further orders while the judicial review of the permanent selection process continues.

In his capacity as interim DGP, Mishra has since conducted high-level reviews of state-wide law and order. He has directed officers to adopt a citizen-centric approach and mandated enhanced security preparedness for upcoming major festivals, including Janmashtami, Durga Puja, and Diwali, with a focus on crowd management and monitoring communally sensitive areas.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: Odisha Interim DGP reviews law and order and festival security

Odisha Interim DGP Vinaytosh Mishra reviewed state law and order, emphasizing citizen-friendly policing and heightened security measures for upcoming major festivals through November.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-interim-dgp-reviews-law-and-order-and-festival-security

### 2026-08-14: Vinaytosh Mishra appointed interim Odisha DGP

Vinaytosh Mishra has been appointed as the interim DGP of Odisha, effective August 16, following the retirement of Y B Khurania and amid Supreme Court scrutiny of the permanent selection process.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vinaytosh-mishra-appointed-interim-odisha-dgp

### 2026-08-13: Supreme Court delays Odisha DGP selection process

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the UPSC to delay the selection of Odisha’s next DGP until August 18 following allegations that the process violates landmark police reform guidelines.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/supreme-court-delays-odisha-dgp-selection-process

### 2026-08-10: Odisha promotes IPS officers Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Jethwa to DG rank

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the promotion of IPS officers Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa to the rank of Director General of Police.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/odisha-promotes-ips-officers-sanjeeb-panda-and-yeshwant-jethwa-to-dg-rank

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Cite as: Odisha DGP selection process dispute and interim leadership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/odisha-dgp-selection-process-dispute