Odisha Government Transfer Policy 2026 | Rules, Guidelines & PDF
Odisha Government
Transfer Policy
Explained Simply
A complete guide to transfer rules, posting guidelines, and standing instructions governing Odisha government employees — from Book Circular No. 42 to the latest GA&PG Department directives.
Annual transfers of Government servants must be conducted with transparency and fairness as the touchstone of good governance — each department is obligated to formulate an objective, fair and transparent transfer policy or base transfers on established criteria.
— GA& PG Dept. Letter No. 12768, Dated 16/04/2025, ACS Surendra Kumar, IASWhat Is the Transfer Policy?
The Odisha Government's transfer policy is a set of rules and guidelines that govern how, when, and where government employees are posted. The policy is anchored by Book Circular No. 42 (1967) issued by the Political & Services Department and has been updated through several Office Memorandums and Resolutions over the decades.
The primary objective is to ensure administrative efficiency, prevent political manipulation of transfers, bring fairness in posting decisions, and protect employees from unnecessary dislocation. Annual transfers are normally conducted during the window of 15th April to 15th June every year.
Key Rules at a Glance
An officer should ordinarily remain at a particular station for 3 years. Early transfer is permitted only on promotion or in public interest.
No Class II officer or above shall remain in a particular district for more than 6 years. Each Revenue District is treated as a separate district.
Posting of officers in their home districts is generally avoided, especially for Collectors, SPs, DFOs, Inspectors of Schools, CTOs and similar sensitive posts.
Controlling authorities must issue orders to relieve the transferred officer within 7 days of receiving the transfer order. No protest for retention is permissible.
Leave applications after receipt of a transfer order or D.O. intimation shall not be entertained and will raise presumption of intent to avoid transfer.
Any canvassing by an officer or others for stopping, staying or cancelling a transfer will be treated as misconduct under conduct rules.
Transfer and posting notifications once issued are final and shall not be cancelled or stayed unless strictly required on public grounds in very rare circumstances.
Deputation from parent department to another department or foreign service is normally for 3 years. The officer must complete 3 years back in parent department before re-deputation.
Special Provisions for Couples
Where both husband and wife are State Government employees, the Government recognises the need to post them at the same station as far as administratively feasible. This policy was first enunciated in the GA Department O.M. No. 14151 (1986) and reaffirmed in Circular No. 31359 (1991).
The Supreme Court held that departmental authorities should consider the fact of separation of husband and wife along with the exigencies of administration, enabling the two spouses to live together at one station if possible without detriment to administrative needs and the claims of other employees.
Couples should be posted at the same station or in neighbouring stations — but not in their home districts. However, this is not an absolute right; career choice and administrative necessity may override the preference, and employees are expected to balance these realities.
KBK & Special District Postings
The districts of the KBK region (Koraput, Bolangir, Kalahandi), along with Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, and Sundargarh, have historically faced difficulty in filling vacancies due to officers avoiding postings there. The Government addressed this through a special Resolution in January 2000.
Key provisions for KBK/Special Districts:
Upon first recruitment or first promotion to any State-level post, the officer's first posting shall be in KBK/Gajapati/Kandhamal/Boudh districts. This posting is normally for 3 years, with leave periods excluded from the 3-year calculation.
As an incentive, officers completing 3 years of service in these districts are offered posting of their choice (two options provided). Officers in occupation of a Government quarter may also retain it at normal rent for up to 3 years for reasons of children's education or health of close family members.
Timeline of Major Transfer Instructions
The foundational circular on transfer and posting of Gazetted Officers — establishes 3-year tenure, 7-day relief requirement, prohibition on canvassing, and finality of transfer orders.
First formal policy for posting husband and wife at the same station, applicable to all State Government employees.
Transfer and posting policy refined — 6-year district cap reaffirmed, committee system for transfers introduced at Government level.
Comprehensive guidelines from a reconstituted Cabinet Sub-Committee on transfers. Includes home district restrictions for specific posts and ministerial cadre seat limits.
Reiterates couple posting policy with reference to Supreme Court ruling in Bank of India vs. Jagjit Singh Mehta.
First posting for all newly recruited/promoted State cadre officers to be in KBK/Gajapati/Kandhamal/Boudh districts.
Special considerations for officers posted in KBK areas — choice posting after 3 years, Government quarter retention facility.
Restated and consolidated transfer guidelines issued in Odia to all departments, reaffirming Book Circular 42 principles.
ACS Surendra Kumar, IAS directs all departments to formulate objective transfer policies, referencing Book Circular 42 and encouraging online application systems for employees.
What the 2025 Directive Means for Employees
The April 2025 circular from the GA&PG Department is significant. While departments like School & Mass Education and Health & Family Welfare already have established transfer policies, several departments still lack a formal policy. The directive makes it mandatory for each and every department to either formulate a transfer policy or adopt objective, fair and transparent criteria.
The circular also encourages departments to build online application systems so that employees do not need to approach government functionaries directly — reducing scope for influence and ensuring each application is duly examined as per established guidelines.
Transfer season (15 April – 15 June) is active. Your department must follow Book Circular No. 42 guidelines. Any canvassing for transfer or retention is a misconduct. Transfers once notified are final. File objections only through proper administrative channels and for legitimate reasons on record.
Transfer & Posting Instructions — Government of Odisha