In a landmark decision that will transform the lives of lakhs of families, the Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved the ambitious “Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi” scheme, delivering on the state’s promise of free education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate level.
Beginning with the academic session 2026–27, eligible students admitted to regular courses in Government and Government-Aided schools and colleges will receive a complete waiver of admission fees.
The scheme covers Classes IX to XII in government and aided schools, as well as Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in State Public Universities, Government Colleges and Government-Aided Colleges.
Since education from KG to Class VIII is already free in Odisha, this approval now completes the full vision of “KG to PG, Free Education” — removing financial hurdles at every stage of a student’s academic journey.
The scheme is expected to benefit over 32 lakh students every year, significantly reducing the financial burden on families, especially those from economically weaker and disadvantaged sections. By easing costs, the government aims to boost enrolment, improve retention, cut dropout rates, and enable more students to pursue higher education without interruption.
To implement this massive initiative, the Cabinet has approved an estimated expenditure of ₹895.57 crore in the first year and a total of ₹5,467.55 crore over five years — one of the largest public investments in Odisha’s education sector in recent times.
The benefits will be available only to students enrolled in regular mode courses offered by eligible Government and Government-Aided institutions. Self-financing courses, unaided institutions, PPP-mode institutions, and professional or technical programmes are not covered under the scheme.
The initiative is fully aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Odisha Vision 2036, and Odisha Vision 2047. It is expected to improve the state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), strengthen human capital, and contribute to building a skilled, educated, and empowered generation.
More than just a fee-waiver programme, “Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi” represents the state government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive growth. It ensures that no deserving student is left behind because of financial constraints and moves Odisha closer to the vision of a Viksit Odisha — built on knowledge, opportunity, and equal access for every child and youth.
With this bold step, Odisha has set a powerful example for the rest of the country. For millions of families, the message is clear: quality education is no longer a privilege — it is now a guaranteed right from the first day of school to the final year of university.
