The Odisha KG to PG Free Education Scheme has received Cabinet approval, marking what Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. Named ‘Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi’, the scheme will waive admission and enrolment fees for eligible students across government and government-aided institutions, starting from the 2026-27 academic session.
What the Scheme Covers
The Odisha KG to PG Free Education Scheme extends fee waivers across a wide band of the education system, building on the fact that schooling up to Class 8 is already free in the state. Coverage includes:
- Students in Classes IX to XII in government and government-aided schools
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students in regular mode at state public universities, government colleges, and government-aided colleges
- A complete waiver of admission and enrolment fees for all eligible enrolments
Notably, the scheme does not extend to self-financing courses, private unaided institutions, PPP-mode institutions, or professional and technical programmes, meaning its scope is limited to regular government-run and aided education.
Budget Outlay and Expected Impact
To roll out the initiative, the state Cabinet has approved a first-year expenditure of ₹895.57 crore, with the total outlay projected at ₹5,467.55 crore over five years — among the largest single investments in Odisha’s education sector to date. Officials expect the programme to benefit more than 32 lakh students annually, with the government citing multiple anticipated outcomes:
- Reduced financial burden on economically weaker and disadvantaged families
- Improved school and college attendance, alongside a lower dropout rate
- Higher enrolment, particularly at the higher-education stage where costs have traditionally been a barrier
How Odisha’s Move Compares Nationally
CM Majhi described the decision as a historic step, positioning Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi as aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and the state’s own Vision 2036 and Vision 2047 frameworks. Officials noted that while some states have offered similar relief in a limited form — Telangana’s free education applies only to economically weaker sections, and Kerala’s covers arts and science students up to graduation — Odisha’s scheme is the first to offer a universal KG-to-PG fee waiver across the state’s regular government education system. Alongside this, the Cabinet also cleared an expanded mid-day meal scheme extending coverage to lakhs of secondary school students over the next four years.
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