In a significant move aimed at promoting education and reducing school dropouts, the Government of Odisha has approved free bus travel for students across the state.
The initiative, part of the Mukhyamantri Bus Seva (MBS) scheme, replaces the previous 50% concession on ticket fares with completely free rides on both non-AC and AC bus services.
The decision was formalised through a notification issued by the Commerce & Transport Department on December 24, 2025, following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on August 21, 2025. The meeting focused on key policy decisions and implementation strategies proposed by the School & Mass Education Department.
“By providing free bus travel, we aim to improve access to schools and address dropouts caused by long distances,” the notification states, emphasising the scheme’s role in enhancing the public transport system under MBS. Students can avail of the benefit by presenting a valid student ID card or wearing their school uniform at the time of boarding. A zero-value ticket will be generated via the Electronic Ticket Issue Machine (ETIM) to facilitate seamless travel.
The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) has been directed to make necessary software modifications and revise existing bus routes and timings to cover the maximum number of schools. This ensures that the scheme reaches as many educational institutions as possible, making daily commutes easier for students from rural and urban areas alike.
The resolution builds on an earlier directive from June 2, 2025, which initially introduced concessions to promote public transport. All other aspects of the original resolution remain unchanged, with the new order set to be published in the extraordinary issue of the Odisha Gazette.
With this upgrade, Odisha takes a proactive step toward inclusive education, potentially setting a model for other states in India.
