Bhubaneswar: In a major push towards accessible education, the Odisha Cabinet has approved the ‘Gyanodaya-Shiksharu Samruddhi’ scheme, fulfilling the State Government’s commitment of providing free education from KG to PG.
Under the scheme, eligible students admitted to regular mode courses in Government and Government-Aided institutions will get a complete waiver of admission fees. Starting from Academic Session 2026-27, it will cover students of Classes IX to XII in Government and Government-Aided schools, and those pursuing Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in regular mode in State Public Universities, Government Colleges and Government-Aided Colleges.
With education from Kindergarten to Class VIII already free in Odisha, this initiative completes the vision of free education from KG to PG.The scheme aims to ensure no deserving student is deprived of education due to financial constraints. It is expected to boost enrolment, improve retention, reduce dropout rates, and help students from economically weaker sections pursue higher education without interruption.
Self-Financing Courses, unaided institutions, PPP-mode institutions and courses, and professional and technical programmes are outside the scope of the scheme.
The Cabinet has approved an estimated expenditure of ₹1,895.57 crore for the first year and ₹5,467.55 crore over five years. The initiative is expected to benefit over 32 lakh students every year.
The scheme is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, Odisha Vision 2036, and Odisha Vision 2047. Officials said it will promote equitable access, improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio, and strengthen human capital development.
“Gyanodaya-Shiksharu Samruddhi” is a significant step towards ensuring every child and youth in Odisha has equal opportunity to pursue education, irrespective of economic background, advancing the vision of a Viksit Odisha built on knowledge and inclusive growth.
