Bhubaneswar: With DGP Y B Khurania’s two-year tenure ending on Aug 16, the Odisha police headquarters has forwarded a panel of three DGP-rank officers — Sudhanshu Sarangi, Susanta Kumar Nath and R P Koche — to the state govt, which, in turn, will submit the list to the UPSC next month.“We have sent the list of eligible officers to the government. As per protocol, the government will forward the panel to the UPSC,” Khurania said, while commending the state govt for strengthening the police force through increased budget, manpower and infrastructure during his tenure. Apart from Khurania, Odisha currently has four DGP-ranked officers — Sarangi (1990 batch), Nath, Koche and Vinaytosh Mishra (all 1993 batch). Mishra, serving as DG (crime branch), is automatically excluded from the race as he retires on Nov 3, failing to meet the minimum residual tenure of six months required from the date of vacancy of the DGP post. Speculation is rife that the next DGP may be picked from Sarangi and Koche. Under procedure, states must propose a panel of DGP-rank officers who meet seniority and eligibility criteria, with at least six months of service left before retirement from the date of vacancy in the post of the DGP. The UPSC then shortlists three names, from which the state govt appoints one as DGP. In 2023, the UPSC reduced the minimum service requirement from 30 years to 25 to widen the pool of candidates. Smaller states and Union territories, where IPS cadre strength is limited, can nominate ADG-rank officers with 25–30 years of service if DGP-ranked officers are unavailable. According to UPSC guidelines issued on Jan 8, 2026, the panel shall not exceed three officers, though it may consist of less than three in exceptional circumstances. The empanelment process should be merit-based, with suitability judged on service records and range of experience. “Since Odisha already has three eligible DG-ranked officers, no additional names are required. If necessary, more names may be recommended in case of exclusions of officers due to pending proceedings. If more names are sought in the panel, the UPSC committee will shortlist three officers based on seniority, merit and experience, from which the state government will appoint the next DGP,” a govt official said.
