The Government of Odisha has announced promotions for two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to the Apex Grade, effective from the start of the new year.
The notification, issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, highlights the state’s commitment to recognising exemplary service in its bureaucracy.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, a 1996-batch IAS officer from the Regular Recruitment (RR) cadre, has been promoted to the Apex Grade under Level-17 of the Pay Matrix in the IAS, as per sub-rule (2)(i) of Rule 3 of the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016. This promotion takes effect from January 1, 2026. Upon elevation, Dr. Padhee has been appointed in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary and will continue in his current position (in situ) until further orders are issued.
In a parallel development, Sushil Kumar Lohani, a 1995-batch IAS officer (RR cadre), has been granted proforma promotion to the same Apex Grade under sub-rule 5 of Rule 8 of the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016.
