IPS officer Ananya Awasthi becomes first woman ADC to Odisha Governor
Synopsis
For the first time in Odisha's history, a woman IPS officer has been appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Governor. Ananya Awasthi, a 2022-batch officer who served as ACP in Cuttack, takes over the ceremonial and protocol role at Raj Bhavan — a quiet but meaningful crack in one of India's most tradition-bound administrative positions.
Key Takeaways
IPS officer Ananya Awasthi has been appointed Police ADC to Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati — the first woman to hold the post.
The formal induction ceremony took place at Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar , on 31 May 2025 .
Awasthi is a 2022-batch IPS officer who previously served as ACP, Urban Police District, Cuttack .
She succeeds Kuldeep Meena (2021-batch IPS), who has been posted as SP of Boudh district .
The Governor is assisted by two ADCs — one from the Indian Navy ( Lt Harshit Deo ) and one from the Odisha Police .
IPS officer Ananya Awasthi has been appointed as the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, becoming the first woman officer to hold the position in the state's history. A formal induction ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, on Sunday, 31 May, where the Governor welcomed her to the role in the presence of senior officials of the Governor's Secretariat.
A Historic First in Odisha's Public Service
Awasthi, a 2022-batch IPS officer, previously served as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the Urban Police District, Cuttack. Her appointment to the Governor's establishment breaks a long-standing pattern of the Police ADC role being held exclusively by male officers, marking what officials and observers are calling a landmark moment for women in the state's administrative and ceremonial framework.
She succeeds IPS officer Kuldeep Meena, a 2021-batch officer who served as Police ADC before being appointed Superintendent of Police of Boudh district in a recent state government reshuffle.
How the ADC Structure Works
The Governor of Odisha is assisted by two Aides-de-Camp — one drawn from the Indian Navy and one from the Odisha Police. Awasthi will serve as the Police ADC, while Lieutenant Harshit Deo of the Indian Navy continues in his role as the Naval ADC to the Governor. The ADC is responsible for assisting the Governor during official engagements, ceremonial functions, and protocol-related duties — a position that demands discipline, discretion, and institutional trust.
What the Appointment Signals
Awasthi's posting is being widely viewed as a reflection of the state's push toward gender inclusivity in high-trust public service roles. Notably, this comes at a time when several Indian states have been actively expanding the representation of women officers in ceremonial and command positions — a shift that was far less common even a decade ago.
This is the first such appointment in Odisha's gubernatorial history, underlining a gradual but visible change in how leadership roles within the police and administrative hierarchy are being assigned.
What Comes Next
Awasthi is expected to assume full duties with immediate effect following the induction ceremony. Her tenure will be watched as a reference point for future appointments to the ADC role, and could influence similar decisions in other states where the position has remained male-dominated.
Point of View
But it carries real symbolic weight in a country where protocol positions at Raj Bhavans have historically been male-only preserves. Awasthi's posting is a 2022-batch officer reaching a high-visibility role in under three years — unusually swift by Indian police service norms. The broader pattern is clear: states are slowly but deliberately placing women officers in positions that combine public visibility with institutional authority. Whether this translates into deeper structural change — in postings, promotions, and field command — remains the harder question that one appointment, however historic, cannot answer alone.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ananya Awasthi and why is her appointment significant?
Ananya Awasthi is a 2022-batch IPS officer who has been appointed Police Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati. She is the first woman officer to serve in this role in Odisha's history, marking a landmark in the state's public service.
What does an ADC to the Governor do?
The ADC assists the Governor during official engagements, ceremonial functions, and protocol-related duties. The Odisha Governor is supported by two ADCs — one from the Indian Navy and one from the Odisha Police.
Where did Ananya Awasthi serve before this appointment?
Before her appointment as ADC, Awasthi was serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the Urban Police District in Cuttack, Odisha.
Who did Ananya Awasthi replace as Police ADC?
She succeeds IPS officer Kuldeep Meena, a 2021-batch officer, who has been appointed Superintendent of Police of Boudh district following a state government reshuffle.
Who is the Naval ADC to the Odisha Governor?
Lieutenant Harshit Deo of the Indian Navy continues to serve as the Naval ADC to the Odisha Governor alongside Awasthi, who holds the Police ADC role.
