What Major Changes Did the Odisha Government Announce in IAS Reshuffle?
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Synopsis
In a significant administrative shakeup, the Odisha government, under the new leadership of Chief Secretary Anu Garg, has announced a major reshuffle in the senior IAS cadre. This move aims to boost governance and departmental efficiency, reflecting the government's commitment to effective administration.
Key Takeaways
- Significant reshuffling in senior IAS cadre in Odisha.
- Deoranjan Kumar Singh appointed as new Development Commissioner.
- Focus on improving governance and departmental collaboration.
- Several key officials reassigned to new roles.
- Notification issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 (NationPress) Just one day after IAS officer Anu Garg assumed the role of the new Chief Secretary, the Odisha government revealed a significant reshuffle within the senior IAS cadre on Thursday.
The reshuffle is one of the initial substantial administrative changes under Chief Secretary Anu Garg’s guidance, indicating a proactive approach to reorganizing roles aimed at enhancing governance and departmental collaboration.
In notable adjustments made by the state administration, Deoranjan Kumar Singh, an IAS officer from the 1993 batch, will take over Garg’s previous position as the new development commissioner of the state.
Singh, who is currently the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) in the Revenue & Disaster Management (R&D) department, also holds roles as a member of the Board of Revenue, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Managing Director of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and Chairman of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC). He will now serve as the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary of the Planning & Convergence Department.
Additionally, Satyabrata Sahu, a 1991-batch IAS officer and the current ACS of the Home Department and Forest, Environment & Climate Change, will transition to serve as a member of the Board of Revenue in Odisha, located in Cuttack.
Hemant Sharma, an ACS from the 1995 batch overseeing the Industries Department, will take on the additional responsibilities of ACS for the Home Department. Shubha Sarma, a 1999-batch IAS officer currently working as the Principal Secretary of Women & Child Development, has been assigned additional duties as the Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department.
Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, another 1999-batch officer, presently the Principal Secretary of the Excise Department and CMD of the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), will also take on the role of Principal Secretary for the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department.
The 2005-batch officer Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, who currently serves as the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Cooperation Department and is also Chairman of the Odisha State Warehousing Corporation (OSWC), will now be additionally responsible for the SRC and MD of OSDMA.
Furthermore, Madhumita Rath, an IAS officer from the 2015 batch and Additional Secretary to the Government in the School & Mass Education Department, has been appointed as the Collector and District Magistrate of Nayagarh.
Meanwhile, the current Nayagarh collector, Akshay Sunil Agrawal, an IAS officer from the 2019 batch, has been reassigned as the Collector & District Magistrate of Gajapati.
A comprehensive notification regarding these changes was issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department on Thursday.
Point of View
This IAS reshuffle in Odisha is a strategic step towards enhancing governance and administrative efficiency. The changes aim to align departmental roles with the evolving needs of the state, reflecting a commitment to responsive leadership. As the nation observes these developments, the focus remains on how these alterations will impact the delivery of services to the public.
NationPress
10/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the IAS reshuffle in Odisha?
The reshuffle was initiated following the appointment of Anu Garg as the new Chief Secretary, aiming to enhance governance and departmental coordination.
Who are the key officials involved in the reshuffle?
Key officials include Anu Garg as Chief Secretary, Deoranjan Kumar Singh as Development Commissioner, and several others taking on new roles across various departments.
What impact does this reshuffle have on governance?
The reshuffle is expected to improve governance by restructuring roles for better coordination and efficiency across departments.
