The police plays a multifaceted role in maintaining law and order, preventing crime and ensuring public safety. This includes investigating crimes, apprehending criminals and maintaining law and order. They actively contribute in all areas such as maintaining public order, internal security and disaster management.
The Odisha Government has announced the creation of 16,059 new posts in the Odisha Police in the last six months as it will prove to be an important step to increase the capacity of the state police in discharging these critical responsibilities.
In this regard, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department Shri Satyabrat Sahu. Shri Sahu has created a new record in creating 16059 posts in the Home Department. The objective of this increase in posts is to strengthen various sections of the police force, meet new evolving security challenges and improve the overall law and order situation in the state. These new posts have been created in 9 spheres of the police department.
Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF): 3009 posts have been created as on October 2024. This increase has been done with a view to strengthening the ongoing anti-Naxal operations in the state and to fill the gap created by the withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from some areas. OSSF is a specialized unit for combating Left Wing Extremism.
Swatantra Shrimandir Suraksha Bahini (SSM SV): An additional 1083 posts were created in October 2024 to form this dedicated security force. SSMSV is a special security battalion specially formed for the security of the revered Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri. This step reflects the government’s commitment to the security of important religious and spiritual places in the state.
Similipal Tiger Reserve Armed Police Constabulary: A company of 131 posts was formed in November 2024 for deployment in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district. This step has been taken to enhance the security of the tiger reserve and its surrounding areas. Cyber Crime and Economic Offence (CC & EO) Police Stations: In March 2025, 1067 posts were created for CC & EO branches across the state. The expansion is a direct response to the growing threat of cybercrime and economic crimes. The government has strengthened all the existing 14 Cyber Crime and Economic Offence (CC&EO) police stations and set up 20 new police stations so that every police district now has a dedicated cybercrime unit. This decentralised approach will improve the accountability and effectiveness of the police in combating digital and economic crimes.
Traffic and Road Safety Branch: 2,000 new posts have been created in the Traffic and Road Safety Branch in April 2025. These posts will be distributed across various districts to strengthen and make traffic management stronger and more effective across the state. This move will focus on reducing road accidents, improving traffic flow and enforcing traffic rules, and will be effective.
Home Guards: 5,126 Home Guard posts have been created recently. Home Guards are voluntary auxiliary forces that assist the regular police in various law and order duties, crowd control and community policing activities. The creation of this large number of posts will significantly enhance the police force at the ground level.
Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF): 3120 new posts have been sanctioned for OISF. These posts will constitute 3 new battalions. These two battalions will be constituted after signing of an MoU with Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited (MCF), in which it has been promised to deploy these two OISF battalions for a minimum period of 20 years to secure their industrial operations. This indicates a strategic partnership between the government and major industries to enhance security. It is worth noting that out of the 3120 new posts, 204 posts are to be filled on outsourcing basis.
State Forensic Science Service: 256 new posts have been created in the State Forensic Science Service on 8th April 2025.This strengthening of forensic capacity will prove to be crucial in improving the quality and speed of criminal investigations by providing scientific evidence analysis.
Directorate of Public Prosecutions: 267 new posts have been created in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions on 8th April 2025. This increase in posts in the prosecution branch is essential to ensure efficient and effective trial of criminal cases in courts, which can meet the increased investigative capacity of the police force.
This massive recruitment drive reflects the state government’s strong commitment to prioritize law and order, address specific security challenges like Naxalism and cybercrime, and ensure the safety of important institutions and the general public.
The creation of these posts in various specialized units will definitely play a crucial role in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Odisha Police Force.
