Odisha Govt Approves KG to PG Free Education Under Gyanodaya Scheme
Odisha Government approves Gyanodaya Scheme providing free education for students from government and government-aided schools from KG to PG. Check details here.
Odisha state government has approved the Gyanodaya- Shiksharu Samriddhi’’ scheme, fulfilling the government's promise to provide free education from KG to PG. As per the policy, from the 2026-276 academic year, eligible students enrolled in regular courses at government and government-aided institutions will receive a complete waiver of admission fees.
Odisha CM in a post on social media stated that under the 'Jnanodaya - Prosperity through Education' scheme, a decision has been taken to provide free education to all students of Odisha from KG to PG. Through this historic decision, no student or girl student of the state will be deprived of education due to financial constraints, nor will they have to drop out midway through their studies.”
The "Jnanodaya - Prosperity through Education" is not just a free education program. It is an important step towards ensuring equal opportunities for education for every child and youth of Odisha, irrespective of their economic background.
Education from KG to class 8 is free in Odisha. The new scheme completes the vision for free education from KG to PG. As per reports, the scheme is set to cover students from classes 9 to 12 along with those pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges and Government-aided colleges. It is expected that this will benefit over 32 lakh students annually, especially those belonging to economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds.
ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha କ୍ୟାବିନେଟ ବୈଠକରେ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତା କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଏହି ୪୩ତମ କ୍ୟାବିନେଟ ବୈଠକରେ ରାଜ୍ୟର ବିକାଶ ପାଇଁ ୧୨ଟି ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ନିଆଯାଇଛି।
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 1, 2026
ଏଥି ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଶିକ୍ଷା ସହିତ ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ଏକ ଯୁଗାନ୍ତକାରୀ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ବିବୃତ୍ତି ରଖି ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ… pic.twitter.com/wGcsZ3Ia6U
The initiative is expected to help increase student enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and improve retention in schools and colleges and encourage higher education among the youth. The government has approved an expenditure of Rs. 895.57 Crore in the first year and Rs. 5,467.55 Crore in the next five years, as per reports.
The Odisha State Cabinet, chaired by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha , has approved Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi, a landmark initiative to provide free education from KG to PG in Government and Government-Aided educational institutions. The decision marks a… pic.twitter.com/3BBsgtaTqK
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 1, 2026
Benefits of the scheme will be available for students enrolled in regular courses in Government and Government-aided institutions. Self-financing courses, unaided institutions, PPP-mode institutions, and professional and technical programmes are not included in this scheme.
Sherin is an education journalist with over 7 years of experience. Over her tenure of working with top media houses like Careers 360 and then Jagran Josh, Sherin has covered various entrance examinations liek JEE Main, NEET, CUET, GATE, etc. as well as various state board and CBSE results. Her understanding of the education ecosystem coupled with her own experience of teaching as an Assistant Professor of nearly 2 years helps her provide a comprehensive perspective to students. She has a Masters Degree in Communication from Madras Christian College. Apart from covering education news, Sherin also enjoys reading and cooking.
