On Friday, the Odisha Government appointed Pitambar Acharya, a Senior Advocate and BJP leader, as the new Advocate General for the State of Odisha.

The position of the State's top law officer had been vacant since June, when Ashok Parija resigned following the Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) defeat in the Assembly elections. Following Parija's departure, Government Advocate Jyoti Prakash Patnaik was appointed as the interim Advocate General for Odisha.

Acharya completed his graduation from University Law College, Utkal University in Bhubaneswar and holds a Master’s degree in Political Science. He transitioned to active law practice in the 1990s after a brief career as a journalist.

Additionally, he has been actively involved in politics, serving as the State Vice-President and spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In 2019, Acharya ran for the Assembly election from the Hinjili constituency but was defeated by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.