---
title: "Supreme Court Halts Odisha DGP Selection Amid 'Backdoor Entry' Concerns"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/supreme-court-odisha-dgp-selection-procedural-challenge-1hzyf
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Politics
published: 2026-08-13T10:00:40.212Z
modified: 2026-08-13T13:30:05.011Z
language: en-IN
---

# Supreme Court Halts Odisha DGP Selection Amid 'Backdoor Entry' Concerns

The Supreme Court has received an assurance from the UPSC that recommendations for Odisha's next DGP will not be finalized before August 18, following concerns about procedural integrity. The court indicated it would restrain the UPSC from proceeding with selection until the challenge to the state's

## Key takeaways

- The UPSC has assured the Supreme Court that it will not finalize the selection of Odisha's next Director General of Police before August 18.
- The Supreme Court raised concerns about potential 'backdoor entry' into the selection process.
- The Odisha government is accused of expanding the list of eligible candidates beyond the three senior-most officers initially submitted to the UPSC.
- The court indicated it would restrain the UPSC from making any fresh selection until the case is heard.

The Supreme Court has intervened in the selection process for Odisha's Director General of Police (DGP), flagging potential irregularities. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) assured the court on Thursday that it would not finalize recommendations for the post until the Supreme Court hears a challenge to the state government's action of broadening the pool of eligible officers.

A bench led by the Chief Justice of India indicated its inclination to prevent the UPSC from making any new selections until the matter is addressed on August 18. The court stated that any 'backdoor entry' is unacceptable and directed the UPSC not to finalize its decisions before the next hearing.

This intervention follows an application alleging that the Odisha government is attempting to bypass the Supreme Court's established procedure for DGP appointments. The state reportedly expanded the list of potential candidates beyond the initial three senior-most eligible officers submitted to the UPSC.

## Background

The controversy arises shortly before the incumbent DGP, YB Khurania, is due to leave office on August 16. The established procedure, outlined in a 2006 Supreme Court judgment, requires states to propose eligible officers to the UPSC, which then creates a panel of three candidates meeting the criteria. The state government must then appoint the DGP from this panel.

The petition claims that Odisha initially proposed three officers, but subsequently expanded the list to eleven by including junior officers from later batches. This expansion occurred before the UPSC could make a decision on the original list. The situation gained further attention when the Odisha government promoted two 1994-batch IPS officers to the rank of DGP, potentially making them eligible for consideration.

## Key Facts

- The UPSC assured the Supreme Court it would not finalize recommendations for Odisha's DGP before August 18.
- The Supreme Court expressed concern over a potential 'backdoor entry' in the selection process.
- An application alleges the Odisha government expanded the pool of eligible officers beyond the initially submitted three senior-most candidates.
- The incumbent DGP's term concludes on August 16, 2024.
- The Supreme Court's procedure requires states to nominate eligible officers to the UPSC, which prepares a panel of three for the state to choose from.
- The petition stated Odisha initially proposed three officers, then expanded the list to eleven, including officers from later batches.
- The court reiterated in February 2026 that states must follow the prescribed DGP appointment procedure.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/supreme-court-odisha-dgp-selection-procedural-challenge-1hzyf
Reported from: Multiple Sources