Odisha announces free education from KG to PG in government institutions

The Odisha government has announced free education in all government educational institutions from kindergarten to postgraduate level, a move expected to benefit more than 10 lakh students across the state.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled the initiative on June 12 as the BJP government completed two years in office, describing it as a major step toward expanding access to education.

“Probably Odisha is the first state in the country to make such a provision in the education sector. It will immensely benefit the scholars, especially the economically backward section,” Majhi said.

Education up to Class 10 was already free in the state. With the latest decision, students enrolling in government colleges and universities will no longer be required to pay fees, easing the financial burden on families pursuing higher education.

Officials said the measure is likely to benefit over 10 lakh students. The policy is expected to particularly help those who face difficulties continuing their studies due to economic constraints.

Although fees in government higher educational institutions are relatively modest, the initiative will cost the state government nearly ₹30 crore annually.

Majhi also announced plans to recruit more than 45,000 teachers in the coming years to strengthen the quality of education. The announcement comes after the government appointed more than 26,000 teachers during its first two years in office.

To increase higher education opportunities, the chief minister said four new universities would be established in the state and that budgetary allocations for the projects have already been made.

Reviewing his government's performance over the past two years, Majhi highlighted infrastructure development as a key pillar of economic growth and job creation. He referred to major projects including a coastal highway, two expressways linking southern and northern Odisha, and the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region (BCPPER).

Addressing criticism from opposition parties on law and order, the chief minister said the concerns were “more political in nature."

“There is no crime where the accused has not faced action,” he said.

On crimes against women, Majhi said the state's conviction rate had improved significantly under the BJP government.

He also criticized the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) administration, alleging that corrupt officials had been protected during its tenure. Majhi pointed to vigilance action taken against several senior officials over the last two years in connection with alleged corruption cases.

Separately, the Odisha government on June 11 announced free bus transportation for candidates appearing in the NEET UG re-examination on June 21.

In a letter to the chairman-cum-managing director of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), the government said the decision was taken on the direction of the chief minister.

The facility will be available to all 56,983 candidates appearing at 134 examination centers across the state. According to the government, the initiative is intended to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses, support economically weaker students, and ensure smooth travel to examination venues.