The Odisha government has promoted four Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers of the 1996 batch to the Apex Grade and appointed them to the rank of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), according to a notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on January 31, 2026.
As per the notification, the officers will continue to hold their present positions in situ until further orders are issued.
Saswata Mishra, IAS (RR-1996), who is currently serving as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been promoted to the Apex Grade. He also holds additional charge of the Finance Department, placing him at the centre of the state’s administrative and fiscal decision-making.
Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS (RR-1996), has also been elevated. He has served in several key departments over the years, including Finance, Energy, and Electronics & Information Technology, and is regarded as a senior officer with wide administrative experience across sectors.
Usha Padhee, IAS (RR-1996), currently serving as Principal Secretary in the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, has also been promoted. She has earlier handled responsibilities in departments such as Commerce and Transport and has been closely associated with urban governance and infrastructure initiatives.
In addition, Vir Vikram Yadav, IAS (RR-1996), who is presently on Central deputation as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, has been granted proforma promotion to the Apex Grade under the provisions of the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016.
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The promotions reflect the seniority and experience of the officers and are part of routine cadre management at the apex level of the state administration. Further decisions regarding postings are expected to be taken separately.
