Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has won an INR 122.6 crore contract to implement the next phase of the Odisha State Workflow Automation System (OSWAS 3.0), as the Odisha government moves to further modernise its paperless administrative processes. The contract will extend TCS‘ partnership with the state government by around six years.
The new platform will be powered by TCS DigiBOLT and will bring workflow automation, system integration, analytics, enhanced security and AI-enabled capabilities onto a common digital platform. It is intended to provide government departments with a unified digital workplace for handling administrative processes.
Key Features of OSWAS 3.0
OSWAS 3.0 will enable digital processing of files, electronic approvals, real-time tracking of workflows and easier access to records. The platform will use a microservices-based architecture and will focus on improving interoperability and web accessibility across government systems.
It will also have a mobile-first design, allowing officials to access and manage workflows more easily. Another addition will be support for the Odia language and deeper integration with other government applications.
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Benefits and Expectations
The upgraded system is expected to reduce manual processes and administrative delays while giving officials better visibility over the movement of files and decisions. Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary to the Odisha government’s Electronics and IT Department and Chairman of the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC), said OSWAS had developed into a core digital platform for the state’s administration.
Dev said the new version would build on this foundation through microservices architecture, AI capabilities, stronger security, interoperability, web accessibility and Odia language support, with the aim of making administrative processes faster and improving decision-making.
TCS and Odisha Government Partnership
TCS Head of Public Services India Sushil Jain said OSWAS 3.0 would build on Odisha’s existing digital governance infrastructure with a more secure, scalable and mobile-first platform. He said the system would give government officials greater speed and visibility, while supporting stronger accountability and a more connected administration.
The OSWAS initiative dates back to 2009, when TCS introduced the first version to digitise file processing and official correspondence within the Odisha Secretariat. The system was subsequently expanded under OSWAS 2.0 in 2018, with a wider rollout covering directorates, districts and other parts of the state administration.
The current system supports more than 4,600 government offices and nearly 50,000 users across Odisha. The state’s Economic Survey has also noted that OSWAS has helped improve administrative processes, employee productivity and data management, while the government had been planning the next version to strengthen security features.
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The Odisha Cabinet had approved the engagement of TCS for OSWAS 3.0 for five years, including implementation and support, at a negotiated cost of INR 122.60 crore, excluding taxes. The latest TCS announcement confirms the contract and the broader extension of its partnership with the state.
In practice, this development means that government officials in Odisha will have more efficient and secure access to administrative processes, allowing them to make faster and more informed decisions. This, in turn, can lead to improved public services and better governance for the people of Odisha.
TCS has been involved in several other digital initiatives for the Odisha government, including the Odisha Birth and Death Registration System, digital solutions supporting Mission Shakti’s Women Self Help Group interest-subvention processes and the Integrated Financial Management System. It also supports the Odisha Judicial Workflow Automation System for the High Court of Orissa.
Furthermore, the OSWAS 3.0 upgrade aligns with Odisha’s broader efforts to enhance its digital governance infrastructure, which includes the development of platforms like Odisha One for integrated citizen services. By leveraging technology to streamline administrative processes, the state aims to create a more efficient and responsive government, ultimately benefiting its citizens.
