New Delhi/Bhubaneswar— The Ministry of Home Affairs has cleared the appointment of IPS officer Sagarika Nath (2016 batch, Odisha cadre) as Superintendent of Police (SP) in the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The order, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 31, 2025, directs the Odisha government to relieve her immediately to enable her to join the central deputation post.
A New Role at India’s Top Counter-Terror Agency
Nath’s appointment to the NIA, India’s premier agency for counter-terrorism investigations, comes against an existing vacancy. The move is seen as recognition of her outstanding contributions to policing and public service in Odisha, where she currently serves as SP of Khordha district.
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A Track Record of Innovation in Community Policing
Known for her proactive and people-centric policing, IPS Sagarika Nath has introduced several acclaimed initiatives:
Project Sampark: A comprehensive anti-drug campaign that combines law enforcement, youth outreach, and mental health awareness to address drug abuse among young people in Khordha.
CHOTA COP PROGRAM: A grassroots-level initiative aimed at building trust between police and children, encouraging civic sense and basic law education from a young age.
Project Durga: Focused on women’s safety and empowerment, enhancing self-defense training and responsive policing.
These efforts have earned her widespread appreciation from both citizens and law enforcement officials for bridging the gap between the police and the public.
Strong Academic and Professional Foundation
A native of Dhenkanal, Odisha, Nath holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from CET Bhubaneswar and cracked the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2015 with an All India Rank of 199. She credits her success to her parents, who encouraged her in both academics and extracurriculars like dance, martial arts, and sports.
She has previously served as:
Traffic SP, Bhubaneswar
SP, Balasore — where she played a critical role in the Bahanaga rail accident response and contributed significantly to cybercrime investigations.
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Fearless Leadership and Public Trust
Known for her tough stance on crime and empathetic approach to social challenges, Nath is regarded as one of the rising stars among women IPS officers in India. Her central deputation to the NIA is expected to further strengthen the agency’s investigative depth with her experience in cybercrime, narcotics, and crisis management.
