Bhubaneswar: In a major administrative move aimed at facilitating compassionate appointments, the State Cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, on Wednesday approved the Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 2026.
The new rules replace the existing Odisha Civil Services (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 2020, to streamline procedures and ensure timely rehabilitation for families of government servants who die while in service.
Formulated by the General Administration & Public Grievance (GA&PG) Department, the revised framework introduces key reforms designed to remove administrative hurdles and improve transparency:
Abolition of Point System: The previously mandatory 100-point evaluation system has been completely abolished.
Removal of Recruitment Cap: The 50% ceiling on filling base-level Group-D posts under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme has been removed.
Flexible Spouse Nomination: If the surviving spouse is over 50 years of age, unwilling to accept the appointment, or declared medically unfit by a Medical Board, the family can nominate another eligible family member for compassionate appointment.
Review of Past & Pending Cases: Pending applications and cases previously rejected solely due to the 100-point evaluation metric under the 2020 rules will be reconsidered under the updated framework.
Officials indicated that the updated policy simplifies the entire appointment process, ensuring transparent and prompt relief to the kin of deceased government employees during financial hardship.