Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday announced the rollout of the ‘Gyanodaya – Shiksha Ru Samruddhi’ scheme, making regular undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) education free at eligible higher education institutions from the 2026-27 academic session.
Announcing the scheme at a press conference, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said that students enrolled in regular UG and PG courses at state government universities, government colleges, and grant-in-aid private colleges under the Higher Education Department will no longer have to pay admission, re-admission, or other institutional fees.
Under the scheme, the state government will bear all admission-related expenses directly, ensuring that educational institutions do not collect such fees from eligible students.
However, students will continue to pay examination fees. Those opting to stay in college hostels will also have to bear hostel charges.
To avail the benefit, students must secure admission to a regular UG or PG course through the Student Academic Management System. Beneficiaries are also required to maintain at least 75% classroom attendance.
The government said financial assistance under the scheme will be released to higher educational institutions in instalments. A State-Level Fee Regulation Committee will also be constituted to oversee fee-related matters.
Higher Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Arabinda Agrawal, Director Kali Prasanna Mahapatra, and other senior officials were present at the press conference.
