Odisha's Bold Move: New AI Policy and Extended Age Limit for Government Jobs

Significant Developments in Odisha's Governance

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, convened on Wednesday to endorse the Odisha Artificial Intelligence Policy for 2025 and to increase the age limit for government job applications to 42 years.

During the cabinet meeting, five proposals from various departments, including Commerce & Transport, Electronics and Information Technology, Health and Family Welfare, and Works and General Administration, were approved, as reported by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.

Ahuja highlighted the state's progress in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for governance, stating that the new policy aims to enhance innovation, improve data-driven decision-making, and promote inclusive socio-economic growth.

The policy is structured around four key pillars: AI infrastructure, skills development, energy, and regulatory frameworks. It aims to create a strategic plan for high-end computing capabilities, access to extensive datasets, collaboration between industry and academia, and sustainable AI practices.

A dedicated Odisha AI Mission will be established to oversee the implementation of AI initiatives across various departments, coordinate pilot projects, and support public agencies, startups, and educational institutions.

With this initiative, Odisha aspires to become a prominent center for public innovation, AI startups, and export-ready AI solutions.

Additionally, the cabinet's decision to raise the age limit for government job applications from 32 to 42 years is intended to offer more opportunities for older candidates to participate in recruitment exams.

The age limit will be further relaxed for specific groups, including ST/SC/SEBC, women, ex-servicemen, and persons with disabilities, as per government regulations.