Odisha DGP Transition: State Govt Hands Vinaytosh Mishra Additional Charge of DGP; YB Khurania to Retire on August 16
Odisha CID-Crime Branch DGP Vinaytosh Mishra will hold additional charge as Head of Police Force from August 16, 2026, after Y.B. Khurania’s retirement, with CM Mohan Charan Majhi approving the proposal.
The Odisha government has put in place an interim arrangement for the state’s top police post, with Director General of Police (CID-Crime Branch) Vinaytosh Mishra set to hold the additional charge of Director General of Police (Head of Police Force) following the retirement of incumbent police chief Y.B. Khurania.
The arrangement will take effect from August 16, 2026, the day Khurania retires from service, and will continue until further orders. The proposal has received the approval of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, ensuring administrative continuity while the process for appointing a regular Director General of Police remains underway.
The decision comes at a time when Odisha’s DGP selection process has been under public and legal scrutiny, making the interim arrangement particularly significant for the state’s police leadership.
Vinaytosh Mishra to Lead Police Force in Additional Capacity
Under the latest government decision, Vinaytosh Mishra, who currently heads the CID-Crime Branch as Director General of Police, will simultaneously discharge the responsibilities of the state’s police chief.
The additional-charge arrangement means Mishra will oversee both his existing responsibilities in the Crime Branch and the overall leadership of the Odisha Police until a permanent appointment is made.
Such interim arrangements are typically adopted to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the police administration during transitions at the highest level.
Y.B. Khurania Retires on August 16
The transition follows the retirement of Y.B. Khurania, who completes his tenure as Odisha’s Director General of Police on August 16, 2026. Khurania has led the state’s police force during a period marked by administrative reforms, crime-control initiatives and internal security responsibilities.
His retirement had already drawn attention because it coincides with the ongoing process of selecting his successor through the prescribed mechanism involving the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Chief Minister Approves Interim Arrangement
According to the government’s decision, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the proposal assigning Vinaytosh Mishra the additional charge of Head of Police Force.
The approval ensures that the state’s highest policing office remains occupied without any administrative gap after Khurania’s retirement. The arrangement will remain in force until the government issues further orders regarding a regular appointment.
Transition Comes Amid DGP Selection Process
The temporary appointment gains added importance because Odisha’s DGP selection has been unfolding alongside an ongoing administrative process involving the UPSC empanelment mechanism.
Under the Supreme Court’s guidelines in the Prakash Singh case, state governments appoint Directors General of Police from among officers empanelled by the UPSC after considering factors such as seniority, service record and experience.
In recent weeks, the selection process has attracted attention due to developments surrounding the preparation of the panel for the next Odisha police chief.
While discussions regarding the permanent appointment continue through the prescribed process, the government has opted for an interim leadership arrangement to maintain continuity.
Who Is Vinaytosh Mishra?
Vinaytosh Mishra is currently serving as Director General of Police, CID-Crime Branch, one of Odisha Police’s most important specialised wings. The CID-Crime Branch handles major criminal investigations, specialised cases and sensitive investigations that often require expertise beyond routine district policing.
With years of experience in senior policing assignments, Mishra now assumes the additional responsibility of heading the state’s entire police force in an interim capacity.
His existing experience in leading a specialised investigative wing is expected to support the transition until a full-time police chief is appointed.
Why the Additional Charge Matters
The position of Head of Police Force represents the highest operational leadership role within the Odisha Police. The DGP is responsible for overseeing statewide policing, law and order, crime prevention, intelligence coordination and overall police administration.
By assigning the additional charge to an already serving Director General-level officer, the government ensures that decision-making and command structures continue without disruption during the transition period.
Such arrangements are particularly important when appointments to the regular post are still being finalised through established procedures.
Administrative Continuity at the Top
The latest order reflects the government’s effort to ensure stability within the state’s policing system during a leadership change. Rather than leaving the position vacant after Khurania’s retirement, the administration has entrusted a senior serving officer with temporary charge while the formal selection process continues.
The move is expected to provide continuity across policing operations, administrative supervision and coordination with other state agencies during the transition phase.
A Temporary but Significant Transition
Vinaytosh Mishra’s appointment as the officer holding additional charge of Odisha’s police force marks an important administrative transition for the state. As Y.B. Khurania concludes his tenure on August 16, Mishra will assume responsibility for leading Odisha Police while continuing to head the CID-Crime Branch.
The interim arrangement, approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, ensures uninterrupted leadership at the top of the state’s police administration until a permanent Director General of Police is appointed through the prescribed process.
