Bhubaneswar: In a bid to further strengthen security infrastructure and policing capacity in industrial hubs in the State, the Odisha Government has sanctioned the creation of two new OISF battalions with 1,944 new posts across various ranks. Each battalion will have 972 posts with an indicative manpower of 68 for service requirement.

The notification was issued by Home Department following the CM's directive on Tuesday. In a letter dated 22.07.2025, Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu informed the Accountant General (A &E, Audit) that the proposal built on creation of the 2nd OISF battalion earlier in April this year. "I am directed to convey the sanction of Governor for creation of 1944 posts in various ranks for creation of 02 (two) new Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF) Battalion in the State i.e. 3rd and 4th OISF battalion, in the level of pay mentioned against each and other allowances sanctioned by Government from time to time with effect from the date the posts are actually filled up in the said battalion," he wrote.

The newly approved positions for both battlions include two Commandants, six Deputy Commandants, 16 Assistant Commandants, 24 Armed Inspectors, 54 Armed Sub-Inspectors, 126 Armed Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 256 Havildars, 1,350 Constables, 14 Ministerial staff including clerks and stenographers, 30 Armourer staff and 66 Communication staff. 

The letter further directed a transparent recruitment process following the latest rules and provisions of ORV Act with salaries and allowances governed by the Odisha Revised Service Pay (ORSP) Rules, 2017.

Expenditure on salary, retirement benefits, vehicle hiring and other allowances would be charged on the borrowing organizations to ensure no additional strain on the State Exchequer. The charge per person would cover all entitlements including establishment cost and requirements met by a service provider on outsourcing basis as per Odisha General Financial Rules (OGFR) & Delegation of Financial Power Rules (DFPR). 

The approval of the 3rd and 4th OISF battalions comes barely a few months after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved addition of the 2nd OISF battalion with 1,040 posts in April this year.

With this, the Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF) will now have four battalions comprising a total of 4,791 posts. While the State initially had only one one battalion of OISF with 1,807 posts, the addition of 2nd battalion had hiked the number to 2,847.