Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has permitted Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania to retire from service on August 16, 2026, upon completion of his tenure as the state’s top police officer.
The state Home Department has issued an official notification granting the necessary clearances, paving the way for the appointment of his successor. “Shri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, IPS (RR-1990), Director General of Police, Odisha
(HoPF), is allowed to retire from Government service with effect from 16.08.2026 (AN) on completion of his service period,” a notification issued by the Home Department said.
A 1990-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, Khurania assumed charge as DGP on August 16, 2024. During his extensive career with the Odisha Police, he served as SP in several key districts, including Nayagada, Jajpur, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, and Raurkela. He also held high-profile roles such as Police Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Twin Cities, Inspector General of Police (Operations), and Special Director in the Odisha Vigilance Directorate. Khurania additionally served in senior positions on central deputation with the Border Security Force (BSF). Recognised for his distinguished service, Khurania has received numerous accolades, including the Governor’s Medal, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
With Khurania stepping down without seeking a tenure extension, the selection process for Odisha’s next top cop has shifted into high gear. A high-level Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) selection committee, chaired by UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar, is scheduled to convene in New Delhi on August 7 to evaluate the contenders. The panel will bring together key officials, including an Additional Secretary from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and outgoing DGP Khurania.
Back on May 14, the state government submitted a list of 11 senior IPS officers to the UPSC for empanelment. The probable candidates includes Sudhanshu Sarangi (1990 batch), Susanta Kumar Nath and R P Koche (1993), Sanjeeb Panda and Yeshwant Kumar Jethwa (1994), Ritu Arora, Saumendra Priyadarshi, Santosh Bala and P S Ranpise (1995), along with Arun Bothra and Sunita Kakran (1996). Of them, Sarangi, Nath and Koche are DGP-ranked, while the rest are ADGPs with over three decades of service.
All contenders under consideration satisfy the mandatory requirement of having at least six months of residual service remaining. Frontrunners among the candidates include 1990-batch officer Sudhanshu Sarangi along with 1993-batch officers Sushant Kumar Nath and R P Koche. Following a thorough assessment of service records, merit, and seniority during the August 7 meeting, the UPSC panel will narrow the list to a final shortlist of three names. This finalized list will then be submitted back to the Odisha government, which will choose the final candidate and announce the state’s next Police Chief ahead of Khurania’s August 16 retirement.
