Odisha Faces Major Bureaucratic Shortfall: 42 IAS, 67 IPS and 66 IFS Posts Vacant; Over 330 OAS Positions Unfilled, CM Mohan Charan Majhi Tells Assembly
The Odisha government has disclosed substantial vacancies across key All India Services and state cadre positions, highlighting administrative and policing gaps that could impact governance and service delivery.
Responding to a question raised by Lanjigarh MLA Pradip Kumar Dishari in the State Assembly, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented detailed figures on the sanctioned strength and existing vacancies in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and major state services.
IAS, IPS and IFS Cadre Vacancies in Odisha
As per the data tabled in the Assembly, the vacancy position in the All India Services is as follows:
Indian Administrative Service (IAS): 248 sanctioned posts; 42 vacancies
Indian Police Service (IPS): 195 sanctioned posts; 67 vacancies
Indian Forest Service (IFS): 141 sanctioned posts; 66 vacancies
The Chief Minister clarified that appointments to the IAS, IPS and IFS cadres are made by the Central Government, and the state has limited direct control over recruitment to these services.
The significant number of unfilled positions indicates pressure on existing officers, particularly in districts where administrative, policing and forest management responsibilities are extensive.
Over 330 Vacancies in Odisha Administrative Service (OAS)
The government also shared vacancy data for state cadre services, which revealed notable gaps:
Odisha Administrative Service (OAS): 2,248 sanctioned posts; 330 vacancies
Odisha Police Service (OPS): 852 sanctioned posts; 147 vacancies
These figures point to challenges at both the senior All India Service level and the state administrative and policing tiers. The Odisha government stated that necessary steps are being undertaken to fill vacancies in state services to ensure smoother administrative functioning across departments and districts.
Officers on Central Deputation Add to Vacancy Pressure
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi further informed the House that several Odisha cadre officers are currently serving on central deputation, which has contributed to the staffing shortfall in the state.
The numbers shared in the Assembly include:
27 IAS officers on central deputation
28 IPS officers on central deputation
7 IFS officers on central deputation
While central deputation provides officers with valuable national-level exposure and policy experience, it simultaneously reduces the available pool of senior officers within the state.
Impact on Governance and Service Delivery
The issue of vacancies assumes significance as administrative efficiency, law enforcement effectiveness, and forest conservation efforts depend heavily on adequate staffing levels. District administration, policing oversight, developmental implementation, and environmental management require sustained leadership and operational capacity.
With multiple posts lying vacant, existing officers often shoulder additional responsibilities, which can strain administrative systems, particularly in large or geographically challenging districts.
Government Assures Measures to Address Gaps
The Odisha government assured the Assembly that appropriate measures are being taken to strengthen the state’s administrative machinery. Efforts are particularly focused on filling vacancies in state cadre services such as the OAS and OPS, where recruitment and promotion processes fall within the state’s domain.
The disclosure of these figures in the Assembly underscores the broader challenge of balancing cadre strength, deputation requirements, and effective governance. As Odisha continues to pursue developmental and law enforcement priorities, addressing these staffing gaps will remain a critical administrative objective.
