Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has appointed senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer Pinaki Pattnaik as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Secretary Anu Garg, an IAS officer of 1991 batch, strengthening the administrative setup at the state’s highest bureaucratic office. Pattnaik has been transferred from the Skill Development and Technical Education Department, where he played a key role in Odisha’s flagship skill development initiatives.
The transfer takes immediate effect, according to a notification issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department.
Transferred to Chief Secretary’s Office
As per the official notification, Pinaki Pattnaik, who was serving as:
- Additional Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department, and
- Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA)
has now been posted as Officer on Special Duty to Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
The appointment is effective immediately.
Role in the Chief Secretary’s Office
As OSD to the Chief Secretary, Pattnaik is expected to assist in:
- Inter-departmental coordination
- Monitoring implementation of key government policies
- Administrative planning and governance
- Coordination between departments and the Chief Secretary’s Office
- Facilitating high-level decision-making and execution of state priorities
The post is considered one of the most significant assignments for senior state civil service officers.
A Career Focused on Skill Development and Governance
Pinaki Pattnaik has built a strong reputation for his work in administrative governance and skill development.
Before his latest appointment, he was closely associated with Odisha’s ambitious skill ecosystem and was instrumental in implementing several flagship programmes.
Major Positions Held
- Officer on Special Duty (Current) to Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha
- Additional Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education Department
- OSD to the Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA)
- Chief Operating Officer (COO), World Skill Center (WSC), Bhubaneswar
Key Contributions in Skill Development
During his tenure in the Skill Development Department, Pattnaik played an important role in strengthening Odisha’s position as a national leader in skill training.
Among his notable achievements are:
Leadership at World Skill Center
As Chief Operating Officer of the World Skill Center (WSC), Bhubaneswar, he supervised operations of the state’s premier advanced skill training institution.
He coordinated:
- Industry 4.0 laboratories
- International collaborations
- Visits by national and global delegations
- Industry-academia partnerships
Strengthening ‘Skilled in Odisha’
While serving as OSD to the Chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority, he helped promote the “Skilled in Odisha” initiative, positioning the state as a hub for industry-oriented vocational education and workforce development.
IndiaSkills Success
Under his leadership and administrative support, Odisha performed exceptionally well at the IndiaSkills National Championships, securing 57 medals, one of the state’s best-ever performances.
The achievement strengthened Odisha’s preparations for participation in international WorldSkills competitions.
Experience Beyond Skill Development
Apart from his work in skill development, Pattnaik has also handled several important administrative responsibilities.
He has served as an Executive Magistrate during the world-famous Puri Rath Yatra, managing crowd control, logistics and law-and-order arrangements during one of India’s largest religious gatherings.
About Pinaki Pattnaik
- Service: Odisha Administrative Service (OAS)
- Batch: 1997 (OAS)
- Date of Birth: 20 February 1974
- Native Place: Nayagarh, Odisha
- Current Posting: Officer on Special Duty to Chief Secretary Anu Garg
Government Order
The General Administration Department has directed that the transfer takes effect immediately, with Pattnaik expected to assume charge in the Chief Secretary’s Office without delay.
His appointment is expected to further strengthen administrative coordination and policy implementation at the highest level of the Odisha Government.
