Local self-government plays a significant role in the administration of both urban and rural areas in Odisha. The state is divided into three main regions, which are then further divided into districts and blocks.
The first law that set the rules for Gram Panchayats in Odisha was the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1948. This Act explained how the Gram Panchayat should be set up, its powers, and how it should function.
Regional Administration in Odisha
To manage the state more effectively, Odisha is divided into three regions or revenue divisions based on geography:
- Central Division
- Headquarters: Cuttack
- Districts included: Cuttack, Puri, Balasore, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Khurda, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, and Jagatsinghpur.
- Northern Division
- Headquarters: Sambalpur
- Districts included: Sambalpur, Sundergarh, Balangir, Dhenkanal, Angul, Bargarh, Nuapada, Subarnapur, Jharsuguda, and Deogarh.
- Southern Division
- Headquarters: Berhampur
- Districts included: Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Boudh.
Panchayati Raj System in Odisha
In 1961, Odisha established a three-tier Panchayati Raj System based on the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, 1958. This system covers all the villages in the state and includes:
- Zila Parishad (District level)
- Panchayat Samiti (Block level)
- Gram Panchayat (Village level)
Odisha’s Panchayat laws were changed to match the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution and the Provisions of Panchayats (Extensions to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). Odisha was the first state to hold elections according to PESA, ensuring social justice for Scheduled Tribe communities.
A unique feature of the Panchayati Raj System in Odisha is that either the Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson must be a woman. In 2011, the Odisha government increased the reservation for women in Panchayats from 33% to 50%.
Levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions
1. Zila Parishad
- The top level of the Panchayati Raj system.
- Total number in Odisha: 30.
- Members include Chairpersons or Block Pramukhs of Block Samitis.
- The Odisha Zila Parishad Act was enacted in 1959.
2. Panchayat Samiti
- Also known as Block Samiti, serves as the middle tier.
- Total number in Odisha: 314.
- Consists of about 20 members elected by all the Panchayats in the block, including two women members from SC and ST communities.
- Led by a Chairman elected by the Samiti members.
- The Block Development Officer (BDO) acts as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
3. Gram Panchayat
- The base level of the system, functioning at the village level.
- Total number in Odisha: 6,798.
- Led by a Sarpanch as the elected head.
- Consists of 11 to 25 members elected from the village wards.
- Elected for a five-year term.
Special Areas for Tribal Communities
Odisha has 12 districts with a significant tribal population. These districts have tribal blocks that focus on the welfare of tribal communities.
- Fully Covered Tribal Districts: Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, and Rayagada.
- Partly Covered Tribal Districts: Balasore, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Gajapati, and Kalahandi.
read more – Administrative Setup of Odisha
Gram Sabha
The Gram Sabha includes all the voters in a village. It has the power to support or oppose the decisions of the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha plays an essential role in making decisions and can help modify decisions if needed.
Urban Local Bodies in Odisha
In urban areas, local governance is managed by Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified Area Councils (NACs).
1. Municipal Corporations
- Found in large cities.
- Total number in Odisha: 5 (Berhampur, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, and Sambalpur).
- Led by a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor, with councillors elected for five years.
- The Municipal Commissioner (an IAS officer) acts as the CEO.
2. Municipalities
- Formed under the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950.
- Total number in Odisha: 35.
- Led by a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Councillors.
- Councillors are directly elected for five years, with one-third of the posts reserved for women.
3. Notified Area Council (NAC)
- Areas transitioning from rural to urban.
- Total number in Odisha: 66.
- Some NACs include Pipili, Sunabeda, Nayagarh, Konark, Hirakud, and Athagad.

Initiatives by the Odisha Government to Strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Subject Transfer: In 2003, 21 subjects from 11 departments were transferred to PRIs.
- Reorganization of Gram Panchayats: Created 595 new Gram Panchayats, bringing the total to 6,798.
- Madhubabu Aain Sahayata Kendra: Launched in 2016 to provide free legal aid to the poor in rural areas.
- Minimum Auction Price: Enhanced for minor forest products to increase Gram Panchayat revenue.
- RMC Markets: Brought under Gram Panchayat control with shared income.
- New NACs: Formed at Dhamnagar, Chandabali, Odagaon, and Raj Sunakhala.
- Honorarium Increase: Increased allowances for PRI members.
- Odisha Gram Panchayats Rules, 2016: Framed for better administration in Scheduled Areas.
- BIJU KBK Plan: Launched in 2007-08 to develop water, electricity, and road facilities in tribal districts.
Quick Facts
- First Law: Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1948
- Three Regions: Central, Northern, Southern
- Number of Zila Parishads: 30
- Number of Panchayat Samitis: 314
- Number of Gram Panchayats: 6,798
- Number of Municipal Corporations: 5
- Number of Municipalities: 35
- Number of Notified Area Councils: 66
- Women Reservation in Panchayats: 50%
Additional Information:
For more detailed information on the Panchayati Raj system in India, you can refer to Government of India’s Panchayati Raj website or the Odisha Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department’s official site.
FAQs
- When was the first legislation of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act prescribing the constitution, power, and functioning of Gram Panchayats in Odisha passed?
Answer: 1948 - For efficient administration, into how many revenue divisions is Odisha divided?
Answer: Three - What is the headquarters of the Northern division in Odisha?
Answer: Sambalpur - Which division of Odisha does the district of Jagatsinghpur fall under?
Answer: Central - What is the headquarters of the Southern division of Odisha?
Answer: Berhampur - How many tiers are there in the Panchayat system in Odisha?
Answer: Three-tier - In which year was the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act or PESA passed in the Parliament?
Answer: 1996 - What was the first achievement of Odisha among all the states in India regarding Panchayats?
Answer: Conduct election according to PESA - In which year did the Odisha Assembly pass three Panchayat Bills related to local administration in rural areas?
Answer: 1991 - What is the normal duration of the Panchayats in Odisha?
Answer: Five years - Which institution is at the top of the three-tier Panchayat System in Odisha?
Answer: Zila Parishad - What is the intermediate level of the Panchayati Raj System in Odisha?
Answer: Panchayat Samiti - At which level is the Panchayat Samiti located?
Answer: Block level - Which districts in Odisha have tribal blocks?
Answer: Malkangiri and Gajapati - How many Municipal Corporations are there in Odisha?
Answer: Five - Which city is a Municipal Corporation in Odisha?
Answer: Berhampur - What type of local administration does the city of Cuttack in Odisha have?
Answer: Municipal Corporation - Which city is a Municipality in Odisha?
Answer: Paradip - What type of local administration is present in Talcher in the district of Angul in Odisha?
Answer: Municipality - Which area falls under the Notified Area Council of Odisha?
Answer: Konark - What service does the Madhubabu Aain Sahayata Kendra provide?
Answer: Provide free legal aid service in villages - Which statement about the Biju KBK plan is true?
Answer: This plan is implemented for the development of tribal areas. - Which of the following urban areas are Municipalities in Odisha: Subarnapur, Sunabeda, Angul, Bhawanipatna?
Answer: Angul and Bhawanipatna