Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved the framing of the Odisha Handicrafts Ministerial Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2026, aimed at strengthening governance and improving administrative efficiency in the State’s handicrafts sector.
The new rules will govern recruitment procedures and service conditions of ministerial staff working under the Directorate of Handicrafts and its district offices under the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department.
Odisha, known for its rich handicrafts heritage including Pattachitra, appliqué work, and Dhokra art, continues to focus on preserving its traditional art forms while promoting livelihood opportunities for artisans. These art forms are deeply rooted in the State’s cultural and religious traditions, including narratives associated with Lord Jagannath and regional folklore.
The handicrafts sector was earlier separated from the Industries and MSME Department and merged with the Handlooms and Textiles Department in 2011. After administrative restructuring in 2020, the Directorate of Handicrafts has been functioning under the renamed Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department since April 2021. At present, 30 district-level offices headed by Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors are operating across the State to support grassroots-level development of handicrafts.
As part of the reform, the State Government has also approved restructuring of the Odisha Handicrafts Ministerial Service Cadre, increasing the cadre strength from 108 to 111 posts. The move aligns with the uniform pay structuring model for district ministerial cadres issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department.
Under the revised structure notified in November 2025, pay levels under the ORSP Rules, 2017 have been rationalised. The cadre will now comprise Junior Assistant (Level 04) as the entry level, followed by Senior Assistant (Level 08), Assistant Section Officer (Level 09), Section Officer (Level 10), Establishment Officer (Level 11), and Senior Establishment Officer (Level 12) as the apex level.
The rules aim to clearly define recruitment methods, service conditions, and career progression pathways for ministerial staff, while strengthening administrative capacity for effective implementation of handicrafts development programmes across the State.
The proposal has received concurrence from the General Administration & Public Grievance Department and the Finance Department and has been vetted by the Law Department.
The objective of the reform is to ensure transparent recruitment processes, efficient cadre management, and improved promotional opportunities for employees.
The initiative is also expected to streamline governance and enhance administrative responsiveness in the handicrafts sector, thereby supporting the overall development and sustainability of Odisha’s traditional crafts ecosystem.
