Govt tightens Rules for Consultant engagement across Departments from April 2026

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has tightened rules for employing departmental consultants, effective April 2026. According to the new guidelines, all state government departments must reassess their need for consultants, Project Management Units (PMUs), Technical Support Units (TSUs), or similar entities.

As per a letter issued by the Finance Department of the Government of Odisha yesterday, all the Odisha Government departments must reassess the need for consultants, including PMUs, TSUs, or similar entities.

The Departments must submit proposals to the Finance Department specifying the optimum number of consultants required from 01.04.2026.

A high-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary will review and approve these proposals.

The committee will include the Development Commissioner-cum-ACS, Secretary of GA & PG Department, Secretary of Finance Department, and Secretary of the concerned Department.

The move aims to curb over-dependence on external consultants and promote better utilization of in-house government staff.

No consultant will be paid after 01.04.2026 without prior approval of the committee.

The circular also refers to an earlier instruction issued on 12.09.2019 regarding consultant engagement.