The administrative setup of Odisha is similar to other Indian states and follows the guidelines of the Indian Constitution. This setup includes the three branches of government: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. The capital city of Odisha is Bhubaneswar, where the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the Secretariat are located.
Odisha Legislature
The Odisha Legislative Assembly is the only house of the state’s legislature, which is why it’s called a unicameral legislature. This means it has just one house, unlike some other states with two houses (bicameral). The Legislative Assembly meets in Bhubaneswar. This assembly is made up of elected representatives and the Governor of Odisha, who is appointed by the President of India.
Historical Background of the Odisha Legislative Assembly
- 1st April 1936: Odisha became a separate province from the British Indian government, combining parts of Bihar, Odisha, Madras Presidency, and the Central Provinces.
- It was the first time a state was formed based on language.
- Initially, the Governor ruled Odisha directly until March 1937.
- General elections for the Legislative Assembly began in 1952.
- Odisha has only a Legislative Assembly, as per Article 169, which allows a state to have either one or two houses of the legislature.
Leaders of the Odisha Legislative Assembly
- First Pre-Independence Leader: Krushna Chandra Gajapati
- First Post-Independence Leader: Harekrushna Mahatab
- First Woman Leader: Nandini Satpathy
- Current Assembly Strength: 147 members, including 12 women, 35 ST (Scheduled Tribe), and 25 SC (Scheduled Caste) members.
Role and Powers of the Legislative Assembly
The Odisha Legislative Assembly has several important roles:
- Passing Bills: The Assembly’s main job is to create and pass bills, which become laws after the Governor or the President of India approves them.
- Framing Laws: The Assembly can make laws on topics listed in the State List (found in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution). It also passes the annual budget and financial bills.
- Supervising the Executive: The Legislature oversees and controls the ministers by asking direct or supplementary questions.
- Financial Control: As per Article 202, the Assembly controls the state’s finances and can approve or reject budget proposals.
- Electoral Functions: Members of the Legislative Assembly help elect the President of India and represent the state in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of Parliament). They also elect the Assembly’s Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly
To become a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, a person must:
- Be an Indian citizen.
- Be at least 25 years old.
- Meet all qualifications set by Parliament.
Term and Meetings of the Legislative Assembly
- The Legislative Assembly serves for five years from the date of its first meeting. This period begins with the Governor’s address under Article 176 (1).
- After five years, the Assembly dissolves, and new elections are held.
Building of the Odisha Legislative Assembly
- The Assembly building was inaugurated on 12th February 1961 by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President, during the third Legislative Assembly.
- Biju Patnaik was the Chief Minister at that time.
State Political Parties in Odisha
Odisha has several political parties that play significant roles in the state’s governance:
- Odisha Communist Party (OCP): A political group formed in the 1990s after splitting from the Communist Party of India (Marxist). It is led by Ajeya Rout.
- Biju Janata Dal (BJD): Founded on 26th December 1997, the BJD is named after the former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, and is currently led by Naveen Patnaik.
- Kosal Kranti Dal (KKD): This party focuses on issues in Western Odisha and advocates for the creation of a separate Kosal state by dividing Odisha. The KKD was founded in 2007.
Odisha’s Legislature Structure
Here’s a simple structure of the Odisha Legislature:
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Legislature Type | Unicameral |
Location | Bhubaneswar |
Total Seats | 147 |
Current Speaker | [Name as per recent updates] |
Political Parties | BJD, OCP, KKD, and others |
First Assembly (Pre-Independence) | 3rd February 1937 |
First Assembly (Post-Independence) | 20th February 1952 |
Inauguration of Assembly Building | 12th February 1961 |
Here’s a simplified and engaging version of the text about the Odisha Executive, designed for 9th and 10th-grade students. I’ve also included a few extra details and organized the content using tables and lists where appropriate to make it easier to understand.
Odisha Executive Branch
The Executive Branch of the Odisha state government is responsible for running the day-to-day activities of the state. This branch makes sure that the laws are followed and the state is governed effectively. The Governor and the Chief Minister are the key figures in this branch.
Governor of Odisha
- Role: The Governor is the nominal head or the face of the state, but not the one who runs it daily. Instead, the Chief Minister does most of the actual work.
- Appointment: The President of India appoints the Governor for each state.
Functions of the Governor
Function | Description |
---|---|
Executive Actions | All state actions are performed in the Governor’s name. |
Appointments | Appoints important officials like the Chief Minister and others. |
Legislature | Can start, end, or dissolve the Legislative Assembly sessions. |
Lawmaking | Issues ordinances (temporary laws) when the state assembly is not in session. |
Emergency | Acts as the President’s representative during emergencies in the state. |
Historical Note: The first Governor of Odisha after India gained independence was Kailash Nath Katju, and the first Indian Governor was Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi.
Chief Minister of Odisha
The Chief Minister is the real head of the state’s executive branch and holds most of the power. This position is elected by the members of the state’s Legislative Assembly.
Qualifications to be Chief Minister
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must be at least 25 years old.
- Must be a member of the State Legislature (or become one within six months if not already).
- Must not hold any office of profit.
Chief Ministers of Odisha (Historical Overview)
Below is a list of all the Chief Ministers of Odisha since India’s independence:
Chief Minister | From | To |
---|---|---|
Harekrushna Mahatab | 23rd April 1946 | 12th May 1950 |
Nabakrushna Choudhury | 12th May 1950 | 19th October 1956 |
Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab | 19th October 1956 | 25th February 1961 |
President’s Rule | 25th February 1961 | 23rd June 1961 |
Biju Patnaik | 23rd June 1961 | 2nd October 1963 |
Biren Mitra | 2nd October 1963 | 21st February 1965 |
Sadasiba Tripathy | 21st February 1965 | 8th March 1967 |
Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo | 8th March 1967 | 9th January 1971 |
President’s Rule | 11th January 1971 | 3rd April 1971 |
Biswanath Das | 3rd April 1971 | 14th June 1972 |
Nandini Satpathy | 14th June 1972 | 3rd March 1973 |
President’s Rule | 3rd March 1973 | 6th March 1974 |
Nandini Satpathy | 6th March 1974 | 16th December 1976 |
President’s Rule | 16th December 1976 | 29th December 1976 |
Binayak Acharya | 29th December 1976 | 30th April 1977 |
President’s Rule | 30th April 1977 | 26th June 1977 |
Nilamani Routray | 26th June 1977 | 17th February 1980 |
President’s Rule | 17th February 1980 | 9th June 1980 |
Janaki Ballabh Patnaik | 9th June 1980 | 7th December 1989 |
Hemananda Biswal | 7th December 1989 | 5th March 1990 |
Biju Patnaik | 5th March 1990 | 15th March 1995 |
Janaki Ballabh Patnaik | 15th March 1995 | 17th February 1999 |
Giridhar Gamang | 17th February 1999 | 6th December 1999 |
Hemananda Biswal | 6th December 1999 | 5th March 2000 |
Naveen Patnaik | 5th March 2000 | Till Date |
Note: Naveen Patnaik is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha.
Additional Facts about Chief Ministers
- The first woman Chief Minister of Odisha was Nandini Satpathy.
- The Chief Minister advises the Governor and is the head of the Council of Ministers, which helps in making state decisions.
Important Institutions of Odisha
Several important institutions help the Odisha Government execute its powers effectively. Here are the key ones:
1. State Vigilance Directorate
- Formation and Evolution:
- Established in 1944 under the Supply and Transport Department as an anti-corruption enforcement organization.
- Reorganized and expanded in 1950.
- Renamed to Vigilance in August 1957.
- Underwent a major reorganization in 1961 with the creation of divisions in Cuttack, Sambalpur, and Berhampur.
- Additional divisions in Balasore and Bhubaneswar were added in 1987 and 1997 respectively.
- Koraput Division was created in 2004.
- Current Structure:
- Functions under the General Administration Department of the Government of Odisha.
- Headed by an officer of the rank of Director General and Inspector General of Police, serving as the Director.
2. Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC)
- Formation:
- Constituted on 1st April 1949 after splitting from Bihar.
- Functions under the provisions of Articles 315-323 of the Indian Constitution.
- Role:
- Responsible for the selection of personnel for various government services in Odisha.
- Initially consisted of a Chairman and two Members.
3. State Election Commission
- Formation:
- Established on 27th May 1994.
- First General Election to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies held in 1997.
- Election Types:
- Direct Elections for:
- Ward Member
- Sarpanch
- Panchayat Samiti Member
- Zila Parishad Member
- Indirect Elections for:
- Naib Sarpanch of Panchayat
- Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Panchayat Samiti
- President and Vice-President of Zila Parishad
4. Odisha Human Rights Commission
- Formation:
- Created in 2000 under Section 21 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
- Became operational on 11th July 2003 with Justice DP Mohapatra as the first chairperson.
- Headquarters:
- Located in Bhubaneswar.
5. Finance Department
- Responsibilities:
- Manages the finances of the state government, including resource mobilization and revenue generation.
- Oversees the Annual Budget formulation and execution.
- Handles Public Expenditure Management and accounting of state receipts and expenditures.
- Ensures accountability of public funds through audits.
- Provides financial advice and facilitates credit from banks and financial institutions.
FAQs
1. When was Odisha made into a separate province by the Britishers?
Odisha was made into a separate province by the Britishers on 1st April, 1936.
2. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the creation of Unicameral or Bicameral Legislation by the states?
Article 169 of the Constitution deals with the creation of Unicameral or Bicameral Legislation by the states.
3. When was the Odisha Legislative Assembly elected for the first time after India’s independence?
The Odisha Legislative Assembly was elected for the first time after India’s independence in 1952.
4. What is the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Odisha?
The Legislative Assembly of Odisha has 147 seats.
5. Which Article states that the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly will begin with an address by the Governor?
Article 176 (1) states that the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly will begin with an address by the Governor.
6. Who was the first post-Independence Speaker of the Odisha State Assembly?
Nanda Kishore Mishra was the first post-Independence Speaker of the Odisha State Assembly.
7. According to which Article shall there be a Governor for each state of India?
According to Article 153, there shall be a Governor for each state of India.
8. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the appointment of the Governor?
Article 155 of the Constitution deals with the appointment of the Governor.
9. Who appoints the members of the Odisha State Public Service Commission?
The Governor appoints the members of the Odisha State Public Service Commission.
10. Who was the first Governor of Odisha?
Sir John Austen Hubback was the first Governor of Odisha.
11. Who was the first Governor of Independent Odisha?
Dr. Kailash Nath Katju was the first Governor of Independent Odisha.
12. Who was the first Indian Governor of Odisha?
Sir Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi was the first Indian Governor of Odisha.
13. Who was the first Prime Minister of Odisha province in British India?
Krushna Chandra Gajapati was the first Prime Minister of Odisha province in British India.
14. Who was the first Chief Minister of Odisha?
Harekrushna Mahatab was the first Chief Minister of Odisha.
15. Who was the first lady Chief Minister of Odisha?
Smt Nandini Satpathy was the first lady Chief Minister of Odisha.
16. Who had been the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha?
Shri Naveen Patnaik has been the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha.
17. How many times has there been President’s rule in Odisha?
There has been President’s rule in Odisha 6 times.
18. How many times has Smt Nandini Satpathy been the Chief Minister of Odisha?
Smt Nandini Satpathy has been the Chief Minister of Odisha twice.
19. Which among the following is not an institution headed by the Odisha State Executive?
District Sessions Court is not an institution headed by the Odisha State Executive.
20. When was the Odisha Public Service Commission constituted?
The Odisha Public Service Commission was constituted on 1st April, 1949.
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