New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has empanelled 69 IAS officers for senior positions at the central government, including five officers from Odisha. The empanelment includes appointments at Secretary/Secretary-equivalent and Additional Secretary/Additional Secretary-equivalent levels, opening opportunities for top-level bureaucratic postings in the Union Government.
Odisha IAS Officer Sushil Kumar Lohani Empanelled as Secretary-Equivalent
Among the five Odisha cadre officers, Sushil Kumar Lohani (1995 batch) has been empanelled in the Secretary-equivalent category. Currently on central deputation, he is serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. This empanelment makes him eligible for the highest administrative positions in various ministries and departments at the Centre.
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Odisha IAS Officers Empanelled as Additional Secretary-Equivalent
Four other Odisha cadre officers have been empanelled at the Additional Secretary/Additional Secretary-equivalent level:
- Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma (1999 batch) – Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change; also Principal Secretary of Excise Department; CMD, OPTCL; Chairman, OSBCL.
- Shubha Sarma (1999 batch) – Principal Secretary, Women & Child Development Department; also assigned Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department.
- Dodda Venkata Swamy (2001 batch) – Chairman, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry; promoted to Principal Secretary rank on December 31, 2025.
- Santhanagopalan R (2001 batch) – Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha; ex-officio Principal Secretary to Home (Elections); promoted to Principal Secretary rank on December 31, 2025.
These appointments recognize the officers’ contributions at the state and central level and prepare them for strategic leadership roles in policy formulation and administration.
Significance of IAS Empanelment
The empanelment of 41 officers at Secretary/Secretary-equivalent level and 28 at Additional Secretary-equivalent level nationwide allows the Union Government flexibility in the next top-level bureaucratic reshuffle. Officials say such empanelments are crucial for ensuring that senior positions are filled by experienced officers capable of handling complex administrative and policy responsibilities.
For Odisha, the inclusion of five officers highlights the cadre’s growing presence in the central bureaucracy, reflecting both their expertise and administrative track record.
Career Impact and Future Prospects
Being empanelled as Secretary or Additional Secretary is a major milestone in an IAS officer’s career, opening doors to high-impact postings at the Union Government. Officers like Sushil Kumar Lohani, Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, Shubha Sarma, Dodda Venkata Swamy, and Santhanagopalan R are now eligible for leadership roles in ministries ranging from Panchayati Raj, Commerce, Environment, Water Resources, Women & Child Development, and more.
The empanelment not only rewards past performance but also positions these officers to influence policy, governance, and administration at the national level in the years leading up to their senior service tenure.
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