Odisha CM Majhi addresses 336 new SIs: Zero corruption, smart policing
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi used the induction of 336 new Sub-Inspectors — including 70 women — to issue a blunt three-point directive: zero corruption, strict discipline, no power misuse. With 17,794 new posts created and a drug-free Odisha target set for 2029, the state is signalling a structural reset of its police force, not just a ceremonial passing-out parade.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi addressed the convocation of the 13th batch of Cadet Sub-Inspectors at the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy, Bhubaneswar on 4 September .
336 newly appointed Sub-Inspectors completed two years of rigorous training; 70 of them are women .
CM Majhi issued a three-point mandate: zero tolerance on corruption , strict discipline, and no misuse of authority.
The state has created 17,794 new police posts , with 5,817 filled in the past two years.
Odisha has set a target of becoming a drug-free state by 2029 .
The Chief Minister called for adoption of the SMART POLICING policy to modernise the force.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, 4 September called on 336 newly commissioned Sub-Inspectors to wield their constitutional authority strictly in service of the vulnerable, warning them against any misuse of power. The directive came at the convocation of the 13th batch of Cadet Sub-Inspectors (SIs) at the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy in Bhubaneswar.
Key Directives from the Chief Minister
Addressing the graduating officers, Chief Minister Majhi laid out three core mandates: complete adherence to the state government's 'zero tolerance' policy on corruption, strict maintenance of discipline within the uniformed service, and an absolute bar on misuse of authority. He asked the officers to work under the guiding mantra of 'Service and Security'.
'Today is not merely a ceremonial parade, but a celebration of dedication, discipline, sacrifice, and excellence. A police's outfit is not just uniform; it carries the power conferred by the Constitution and the grave responsibility of serving the society,' Majhi said, addressing the cadets directly.
Women's Representation and Smart Policing Push
The Chief Minister highlighted that 70 of the 336 newly inducted SIs are women, describing the figure as 'a bright reflection of women's empowerment and the changing social landscape of Odisha.' He also called on the force to adopt the SMART POLICING policy to enhance operational efficiency — a framework the state has been progressively rolling out across its police stations.
Staffing Expansion and Infrastructure Upgrades
Majhi disclosed that 17,794 new posts have been created in the Odisha Police department, with 5,817 posts filled over the past two years. Vehicles and fuel allowances are also being extended to police stations to improve day-to-day functioning. He framed these investments as essential to building what he called a 'Samruddha Odisha' (Prosperous Odisha) over the next decade, arguing that robust law and order is inseparable from industrialisation and economic growth.
Drug-Free Odisha Target by 2029
The Chief Minister reiterated the state government's commitment to making Odisha drug-free by 2029 — a pledge that places fresh accountability on the incoming cohort of officers, who will be at the frontline of enforcement. He stressed that protecting the innocent and ensuring criminals face the law are non-negotiable benchmarks for the force.
Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra and several other senior Odisha Police officers were present at the ceremony. The Chief Minister also felicitated cadets who excelled in various training disciplines during the two-year programme.
Point of View
A high-profile anti-corruption pitch at a police convocation serves dual purposes. The harder question is structural: creating 17,794 posts and filling 5,817 is a start, but Odisha's police-to-population ratio remains below national norms. Rhetoric about zero corruption means little without independent oversight mechanisms — something the Chief Minister did not detail. The 2029 drug-free target, meanwhile, is ambitious in a state that borders high-trafficking corridors; whether the incoming SIs receive the intelligence infrastructure to match the mandate remains to be seen.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy on 4 September?
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presided over the convocation of the 13th batch of Cadet Sub-Inspectors, where 336 newly trained officers were commissioned. The ceremony was held at the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy in Bhubaneswar.
What are the three mantras CM Majhi gave to the new Sub-Inspectors?
CM Majhi directed the new officers to follow zero tolerance on corruption, maintain the highest discipline in uniform service, and refrain from misusing their authority. He also asked them to work under the guiding principle of 'Service and Security.'
How many women Sub-Inspectors were part of the 13th batch?
70 of the 336 newly inducted Sub-Inspectors are women. Chief Minister Majhi described this as a reflection of women's empowerment and Odisha's evolving social landscape.
What is Odisha's target for becoming a drug-free state?
The Odisha government has set 2029 as the target year to make the state drug-free. CM Majhi reiterated this commitment at the convocation, placing the responsibility squarely on the new cohort of officers.
How many new posts have been created in the Odisha Police in recent years?
The state government has created 17,794 new posts in the Odisha Police department, of which 5,817 have been filled over the past two years, according to CM Majhi's address at the ceremony.
