The State Statistical Bureau which is now functioning as a Principal Statistical Organisation of the State under the administrative control of Planning and Coordination Department, Government of Orissa started functioning in 1949 as a mall cell in the erstwhile Planning and Reconstruction Department. After undergoing various reorganizations from time to time, it was declared as Heads of Department in the year 1958 and continued to function under the administrative control of Government in Planning and Coordination Department. It was renamed as Directorate of Economics and Statistics in the year 1987. Thus, there has been a considerable expansion in the statistical activities of the State. At present, three Range offices and twenty-seven Districts Statistical Offices are functioning in the State. Besides, there is a Statistical Training Institute named as Regional Institute of Planning, Applied Economics and Statistics under the administrative control of Directorate of Economics and Statistics which imparts in-services training to the Statistical personnel of various categories working in different Departments of Government and Public Sector Undertakings.

The Directorate of Economics and Statistics is headed by the Director, with supporting officers in Class-I and Class-II ranks and other technical and ministerial staff at the State headquarters, Range level and District level Statistical offices.