The Odisha Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department has officially reopened the online portal for the Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana (GSSBY) for the 2026–27 policy year.
The state health insurance initiative has been renewed for the period spanning 1 November to 30 November 2026. The fresh enrolment window enables eligible working journalists across Odisha who were not previously registered under the scheme to submit their applications online.
Application Timeline & Portal Details
Working journalists can log onto the official Odisha Working Journalists Welfare Scheme (OWJWS) portal to complete their submissions:
- Online Portal: Applications must be submitted online at [https://owjws.odisha.gov.in](https://owjws.odisha.gov.in).
- Submission Dates: The application window opens on 9 November 2026 and closes on 30 November 2026.
- Target Group: Enrolment is strictly reserved for eligible working journalists who have not been enrolled under the health insurance scheme in earlier phases.
DIPRO Verification & Anti-Duplication Directives
The I&PR Department has mandated a strict verification protocol across all districts to ensure seamless processing:
- Verification Schedule: District Information and Public Relations Officers (DIPROs) must verify received applications between 1 December and 10 December 2026, following approval and recommendation from the respective District Administration, before forwarding them to the I&PR Department.
- Duplication Cross-Checks: DIPROs have been instructed to obtain the final district-wise list of insured journalists for 2026–27, including TPA-issued health insurance cards, to cross-verify fresh entries and prevent duplicate enrolments.
