Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has announced the creation of 16,059 new posts in the Odisha Police over the last six months, marking a significant step toward strengthening the state’s law enforcement capabilities.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing the police force’s efficiency in maintaining law and order, combating emerging security threats, and improving public safety across the state.
The newly created positions span across nine key spheres of the police department, each tailored to address specific operational and strategic needs.
- Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF): 3,009 posts were created as of October 2024 to reinforce ongoing anti-Naxal operations and fill the void left by the withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in some areas. OSSF is a specialized unit focused on combating Left Wing Extremism.
- Swatantra Shrimandir Suraksha Bahini (SSMSV): 1,083 posts were sanctioned in October 2024 for this newly established battalion dedicated to the security of the revered Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, underlining the government’s commitment to protecting important religious and spiritual sites.
- Similipal Tiger Reserve Armed Police Constabulary: A company of 131 personnel was formed in November 2024 for deployment in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district to bolster the security of the wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding areas.
- Cyber Crime and Economic Offence (CC&EO) Police Stations: In response to rising cyber and financial crimes, 1,067 posts were created in March 2025. All 14 existing CC&EO police stations have been strengthened, and 20 new stations have been established to ensure each police district now has a dedicated cybercrime unit.
- Traffic and Road Safety Branch: 2,000 new positions were added in April 2025 to improve traffic management, reduce road accidents, and ensure better enforcement of traffic laws across the state.
- Home Guards: 5,126 posts were created recently to strengthen ground-level policing. Home Guards serve as a voluntary auxiliary force assisting in law and order, crowd control, and community policing efforts.
- Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF): 3,120 new posts have been sanctioned to form three additional battalions, including two for Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited (MCF) under a 20-year deployment agreement. Of these, 204 posts are to be filled through outsourcing, reflecting a public-private security collaboration model.
- State Forensic Science Service: On April 8, 2025, 256 posts were created to enhance forensic capabilities, ensuring more efficient and accurate analysis of scientific evidence in criminal investigations.
- Directorate of Public Prosecutions: Also on April 8, 2025, 267 new posts were created to improve the prosecution process and match the enhanced investigative output of the police force.
This extensive recruitment drive is being overseen by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, who directed Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Satyabrat Sahu, to execute the initiative. Notably, Sahu has set a new record by facilitating the creation of all 16,059 posts in the Home Department.
The move highlights the Odisha Government’s proactive stance in addressing contemporary security challenges such as Naxalism and cybercrime, while also ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure, religious institutions, and the general public.
The expansion is expected to significantly boost the effectiveness and responsiveness of the Odisha Police Force.
