A catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane with an empirical formula Mo—V—Te—Nb—Pd—O produced using a process comprising impregnation of the Pd component on the surface of the catalyst following a calcination step using a Pd compound free of halogens. The resulting catalyst can be used in both diluted and undiluted ODH processes and shows higher than expected activity without any loss of selectivity.