Cuttack Desk : Dr. Satyajit Naik, a 2008-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Odisha cadre, has built a career spanning field policing, internal security, investigation, disaster response and management of large public gatherings. Currently Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Cuttack, Mr. Naik has been recognised with the Governor’s Medal and the DGP’s Disc for his service He assumed charge as IGP, Central Range, on January 1, 2026. The Central Range comprises seven districts—Cuttack, Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Jajpur—making it one of the State’s important policing jurisdictions The range encompasses major urban centres, coastal areas and prominent religious destinations, and regularly witnesses large gatherings associated with festivals, pilgrimage and public events. Its responsibilities include maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crime, regulating traffic, responding to disasters and coordinating security arrangements.
From Field Policing to Specialised Assignments
During more than 17 years in the IPS, Mr. Naik has served in several operational and specialised assignments. His field postings have included Superintendent of Police in Deogarh and Gajapati, including areas that have faced internal security challenges. He has also served in specialised units, including the Special Task Force of the Crime Branch and the National Investigation Agency. These assignments exposed him to investigations involving organised crime, economic offences and national security-related cases As Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eastern Range, covering Balasore and Bhadrak, he handled law-and-order situations in districts with communal sensitivities and security concerns. His responsibilities included supervision of investigations, deployment of police forces and coordination with district administration and other agencies.
Handling Large Public Gatherings
Managing large gatherings has been a recurring feature of Mr. Naik’s assignments. As IGP, Central Range, he was involved in security planning for the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, one of Odisha’s largest religious congregations. The 2026 Rath Yatra brought together several lakhs of devotees. The policing arrangements involved crowd management, traffic regulation, surveillance, crime prevention and emergency response. More than 470 high-definition CCTV cameras were deployed for real-time monitoring of key areas. Mr. Naik had also been associated with the policing arrangements for the Rath Yatra in 2023. He was subsequently conferred the Ratha Seva Samman–2026 in Puri for his contribution to the safe and orderly conduct of the festival.
Security During Presidential Visit
Another major responsibility came in August 2026, when the President of India visited Odisha from August 3 to 5. The visit included programmes in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur and Ganjam district and involved extensive road and rail travel Such visits require advance planning, route sanitisation, traffic regulation, inter-agency coordination and deployment of security personnel. According to the DGP’s commendation recorded in Mr. Naik’s service profile, his planning and supervision contributed to the peaceful conduct of the visit.
Disaster Response
Mr. Naik’s service has also included responsibilities during natural disasters. During Cyclone Dana, police and civil administration agencies participated in evacuation, rescue and emergency-response operations in vulnerable coastal areas. At Tihidi in Bhadrak district, a night rescue operation resulted in the recovery of 30 people. Such operations require close coordination between police, district administration and emergency-response agencies.
Communal Harmony and Festival Policing
During his tenure in the Eastern Range, Mr. Naik was involved in maintaining law and order during major religious festivals. The DGP’s appreciation for his work during Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Balasore and Bhadrak in 2025 cited advance planning, deployment and coordination as important factors in ensuring peaceful celebrations.
Road Safety and Cybercrime
In the Central Range, road safety and cybercrime have emerged as important areas of enforcement. Special road-safety drives have been intensified during pilgrimage, holiday and picnic seasons. Cyber-enabled financial fraud is another growing concern. Police units have been directed to strengthen public awareness, prevention and investigation of online fraud cases. Child-friendly policing and improved access to police services are also part of the broader emphasis on citizen-oriented policing.
Recognition for Service
Mr. Naik received the Governor’s Medal on Republic Day in 2026 for distinguished service. He was also conferred the DGP’s Disc on the occasion of the 90th Odisha Police Formation Day for his performance while serving as DIG, Eastern Range. His earlier honours include the Internal Security Service Medal in 2017 from the Ministry of Home Affairs for his contribution to countering Naxal activities, an NCRB Running Trophy for the use of information technology in policing, the SKOCH Governance Award in 2023 and a DG, NIA commendation. He has also received appreciation for policing and security responsibilities associated with major national and international events, including the Asian Games and World Cup Hockey.
Academic Background
Mr. Naik holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry degree from the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Police Management from Osmania University and completed the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy at the Indian School of Business.His academic work has also examined the Naxal insurgency in Odisha, advocating an approach that combines security operations with development, social inclusion and community participation.
A Career Across Varied Policing Challenges
From district policing and counter-insurgency operations to specialised investigation, disaster response and large-scale event management, Mr. Naik’s career has covered a wide range of policing responsibilities. His present assignment as IGP, Central Range, places him in charge of seven districts with diverse demographic, geographical and security requirements. His career reflects the changing role of senior police officers, combining conventional law-and-order duties with technology, disaster management, public safety and community engagement.
