New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The process of selecting Odisha’s next Director General of Police (DGP) has entered its final phase, with the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) scheduled to convene its Empanelment Committee (EC) meeting on August 7. The committee will shortlist three senior IPS officers for appointment as the state’s next police chief ahead of the retirement of incumbent Y.B. Khurania, an IPS officer of 1990 batch, on August 16.
The meeting is being closely watched in administrative and political circles, as the UPSC panel will determine the final shortlist from which the Odisha government will appoint the next DGP.
UPSC Panel to Prepare Final List of Three Officers
As per the established procedure laid down by the Supreme Court and followed by the UPSC, the Empanelment Committee will prepare a panel of three eligible IPS officers.
The Odisha government will then select one officer from this panel for appointment as the state’s Director General of Police.
According to senior government officials, the committee will comprise:
- UPSC Chairman (or a nominated UPSC member)
- Union Home Secretary or an officer of equivalent rank
- Head of a Central Police Organisation nominated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (not belonging to the Odisha cadre)
- Odisha Chief Secretary
- Outgoing Odisha DGP Y.B. Khurania
An official familiar with the process said that after the UPSC finalises the panel, the state government will exercise its discretion in selecting one of the three officers for the top police post.
Eleven Senior IPS Officers Under Consideration
In May 2026, the Odisha government forwarded a list of 11 eligible IPS officers to the UPSC for consideration.
The officers in the race include:
- Sudhanshu Sarangi (IPS:1990)
- Susanta Kumar Nath (IPS:1993)
- R.P. Koche (IPS:1993)
- Sanjeeb Panda (IPS:1994)
- Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa (IPS:1994)
- Ritu Arora (IPS:1995)
- Saumendra Priyadarshi (IPS:1995)
- Santosh Bala (IPS:1995)
- P.S. Ranpise (IPS:1995)
- Arun Bothra (IPS:1996)
- Sunita Kakran (IPS:1996)
Among them, Sudhanshu Sarangi, Susanta Kumar Nath and R.P. Koche are already serving in the rank of Director General of Police, while the remaining officers are Additional Directors General of Police (ADGPs) with more than three decades of policing experience.
Strong Contenders Emerge
According to sources within bureaucratic circles, three officers are widely regarded as leading contenders:
- Sudhanshu Sarangi (IPS:1990)
- R.P. Koche (IPS:1993)
- Sanjeeb Panda (IPS:1994)
Their seniority, service records and leadership experience have made them prominent names in discussions surrounding the appointment.
Why DG Vinaytosh Mishra Is Not in the Race
Odisha presently has four officers holding the DGP rank apart from incumbent Y.B. Khurania:
- Sudhanshu Sarangi
- Susanta Kumar Nath
- R.P. Koche
- Vinaytosh Mishra
However, Vinaytosh Mishra, currently serving as Director General, Crime Branch, is not being considered because he is scheduled to retire in November 2026.
As per the Supreme Court guidelines governing DGP appointments, an officer must have at least six months of residual service from the date the vacancy arises. Since Khurania retires on August 16, Mishra does not meet the mandatory eligibility criterion.
Selection Based on Merit and Leadership
While appointments to the DGP post often attract political attention, experts maintain that merit and professional competence should remain the primary considerations.
A retired IPS officer observed that although political considerations, inputs from the Central Government and the Chief Minister’s assessment may influence the final decision, the selection should ultimately be guided by:
- Service record
- Leadership qualities
- Professional integrity
- Experience across diverse policing assignments
- Administrative capability
The officer emphasised that choosing the most competent police leader is crucial for strengthening law enforcement and ensuring effective policing in the state.
Final Appointment After UPSC Recommendation
Once the Empanelment Committee submits its recommendations on August 7, the Odisha government is expected to move quickly to appoint the next DGP before Y.B. Khurania demits office on August 16.
The appointment will determine the leadership of the Odisha Police at a time when the force continues to deal with internal security, cybercrime, law and order management and modernisation initiatives across the state.
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