The UPSC’s empanelment committee meets on August 7 to shortlist those names, after the state submitted 11 eligible IPS officers. Among them: Sudhanshu Sarangi, R P Koche, and Sanjeeb Panda are seen as frontrunners. What’s interesting? Even though politics often plays a role, the real test is merit; leadership, experience, and service record must outweigh connections. With DGP Y B Khurania retiring on August 16, the clock is ticking. And while four senior officers in Odisha already hold DGP rank, only those with at least six months of service left are eligible; ruling out DG Crime Branch Vinaytosh Mishra. The final decision rests with the state, but the UPSC’s panel sets the tone. In high-stakes appointments like this, who gets picked isn’t just about seniority; it’s about who’s truly ready to lead. This is how India’s most powerful police appointments quietly get made.