Bhubaneswar: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has secured a Rs 122.6 crore contract from the Odisha government to implement the next phase of the Odisha State Workflow Automation System (OSWAS) 3.0, marking another major step in the State’s digital governance journey.
The upgraded platform will be developed as a next-generation digital governance system powered by TCS DigiBOLT. It is designed to bring workflow automation, data integration, analytics, enhanced cybersecurity and artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities together on a common digital platform.
The initiative is expected to further accelerate Odisha’s transition towards paperless administration and technology-driven governance.
OSWAS 3.0 to Modernise Government File Processing
The new OSWAS 3.0 platform will enhance the way government files and official communications are processed across Odisha.
The system is expected to facilitate digital file movement, electronic approvals, real-time tracking and easier access to government records. By reducing dependence on physical files and manual processes, the upgraded platform aims to improve administrative efficiency and transparency.
According to TCS, the existing OSWAS ecosystem currently serves more than 4,600 government offices and nearly 50,000 users across Odisha.
The wider implementation of the upgraded system could therefore have a significant impact on the day-to-day functioning of government departments and offices throughout the State.
Odisha’s Digital Governance Journey Began in 2009
Odisha’s efforts to digitise government administration began with the launch of OSWAS 1.0 in 2009.
The initial platform was introduced to digitise file processing and official correspondence within the Odisha Secretariat, reducing dependence on conventional paper-based workflows.
The government subsequently introduced OSWAS 2.0 in 2018, incorporating upgraded technology and expanding the system beyond the Secretariat to include directorates, district-level offices and corporations.
With OSWAS 3.0, the State now plans to move towards a more integrated and intelligent digital administration ecosystem.
AI, Enhanced Security and Mobile-First Design
OSWAS 3.0 will adopt a microservices-based architecture, allowing different components of the platform to operate and integrate more efficiently.
The system will also incorporate AI-enabled capabilities, stronger security mechanisms and a mobile-first design. These features are intended to make government services and internal administrative processes more accessible while strengthening the protection of government data.
Another key feature will be Odia language support, which could make the platform more accessible to government users across the State.
The new architecture is also expected to facilitate integration with other government applications, helping create a more connected digital ecosystem instead of isolated technology platforms.
OSWAS Described as Digital Backbone of Odisha Administration
Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary of the Electronics & Information Technology Department, Government of Odisha, and Chairman of the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC), described OSWAS as the digital backbone of the State’s administration.
The latest phase is expected to build on the existing foundation and introduce modern technologies to support faster, more integrated and data-driven government operations.
The use of automation and AI-enabled capabilities could also help departments manage workflows more efficiently and provide officials with improved access to information required for administrative decision-making.
TCS Already Supporting Multiple Odisha Digital Initiatives
TCS’s engagement with the Odisha government extends beyond OSWAS.
The company said its partnership with the State includes several other digital initiatives, including the Odisha Birth and Death Registration System and the Integrated Financial Management System.
TCS is also involved in digital solutions associated with Mission Shakti, while its technology support extends to the Odisha Judicial Workflow Automation System (OJWAS) for the High Court of Orissa.
These initiatives collectively reflect the growing role of digital platforms in public administration, financial management, citizen services and judicial workflows.
OSWAS 3.0 to Strengthen Paperless Governance
The implementation of OSWAS 3.0 is expected to further consolidate Odisha’s efforts to build a modern, paperless and technology-enabled administrative system.
With thousands of government offices and tens of thousands of users already connected to OSWAS, the next-generation platform could provide a common technological foundation for more efficient government workflows.
The integration of automation, analytics, AI, security, data integration and multilingual support is expected to make the upgraded system more responsive to the evolving requirements of Odisha’s public administration.
TCS said the latest contract further strengthens its partnership with Odisha and its role in supporting the State’s broader digital transformation and modernisation of public administration.
