Odisha Revises English Spellings for 64 Places to Reflect Odia Pronunciation

The Odisha government announced on 9 July 2026 a sweeping revision of English spellings for 64 place names across 26 districts, framing the move as essential to preserving authentic Odia pronunciation and linguistic heritage. The Chief Minister's Office described the decision as an affirmation of *Odia Asmita* (Odia pride), noting that *language is the soul of identity*.

The reform builds on Odisha's unique constitutional history as India's first linguistically formed state (1936) and follows Odia's 2014 designation as a classical language. By replacing colonial-era transliterations with spellings that reflect how Odia speakers actually pronounce place names, the state joins other Indian regions in post-independence efforts to decolonize administrative records.

The revision will require systematic updates to land records, revenue documents, and public signage across affected districts, impacting over 3.5 crore Odia speakers. Implementation will proceed in phases, with notifications to district collectors and updates to cartographic databases planned. The move signals linguistic standardization as a continuing policy priority for Odisha.