In a major administrative reform aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and accelerating welfare delivery, the Odisha Cabinet today gave its nod to the Odisha Ministerial Services (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Junior Assistants, Senior Assistants, Assistant Section Officers & Section Officers in the District Offices and offices subordinate thereto under ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department) Rules, 2026.
The decision marks a historic shift. Until now, ministerial posts in the district offices and subordinate units of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department (except certain education-related inspector posts) were managed by employees drawn from the District Revenue Ministerial Cadre. This arrangement often led to delays, divided accountability, and limited ownership of the department’s core mandate.
With the new rules, the department will now have its own independent ministerial cadre. Recruitment at the base level (Junior Assistants) and all subsequent promotions will be conducted directly by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department. The entire cadre will function under its administrative control, ensuring faster decision-making, greater accountability, and smoother implementation of flagship schemes for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Backward Classes.
According to the official press brief, the new structure will comprise 1,032 sanctioned posts distributed across four levels:
- Junior Assistants: 630 posts
- Senior Assistants: 249 posts
- Assistant Section Officers: 100 posts
- Section Officers: 53 posts
This dedicated workforce is expected to dramatically improve day-to-day functioning in district and block-level offices, where the bulk of welfare schemes — from scholarship distribution and land rights to skill development and housing — are executed.
