Last Updated: June 13, 2026
The Odisha government has announced a proposal to provide free education from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level in government and government-aided educational institutions across the state. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement on June 12, 2026, during a press conference marking two years of the BJP government’s tenure in Odisha.
According to the state government, the proposed policy is intended to reduce the cost of education for families and improve access to higher studies. The scheme will apply to general education programmes and is expected to benefit more than 10 lakh learners. Detailed guidelines and implementation procedures are yet to be issued through an official notification.
The proposal comes as Odisha continues to expand investments in education through infrastructure development, teacher recruitment, and higher education reforms in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Key Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Scheme |
Free Education from KG to PG |
|
State |
Odisha |
|
Announced By |
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi |
|
Announcement Date |
June 12, 2026 (Confirmed) |
|
Coverage |
Government and Government-Aided Institutions |
|
Streams Covered |
Science, Arts and Commerce |
|
Status |
Approved in Principle |
|
Implementation |
Awaiting official notification |
Coverage Under the Proposal
The fee waiver is proposed for institutions managed by the School and Mass Education Department and the Higher Education Department.
Included and Excluded Courses
|
Included |
Excluded |
|
School Education |
Engineering Courses |
|
Arts Programmes |
Medical Courses |
|
Science Programmes |
Technical Courses |
|
Commerce Programmes |
Professional Programmes |
|
General Degree Courses |
Other Professional Courses |
Government officials have stated that technical, medical, engineering, and other professional courses are not expected to be covered under the scheme.
Expected Beneficiaries
According to estimates shared during the June 2026 announcement, more than 10 lakh learners could benefit from the proposal. The final beneficiary count will be confirmed after the release of detailed implementation guidelines.
Officials indicated that the policy could particularly support learners from economically weaker households, rural communities, and socially disadvantaged groups. By reducing education-related expenses, the government aims to improve participation in higher education and reduce financial barriers to continued learning.
Financial and Policy Context
Reports associated with the announcement suggest the proposal may involve an annual expenditure of around ₹30 crore. However, the figure remains a preliminary estimate pending detailed government documentation.
According to the Odisha Budget 2026-27, retrieved on June 13, 2026, the state has allocated ₹42,565 crore to the education sector, accounting for approximately 13.7% of the total state budget.
Budget Snapshot
|
Component |
Figure |
Source Context |
|
Education Budget 2026-27 |
₹42,565 crore |
Odisha Budget 2026-27 |
|
Share of State Budget |
13.7% |
Odisha Budget 2026-27 |
|
Estimated Annual Scheme Cost |
Around ₹30 crore |
Government estimate |
|
Model School Project |
₹12,000 crore |
State government announcement |
Related Education Initiatives
The announcement was accompanied by updates on other education-sector measures.
Government statements indicate that 2,200 schools have been approved under the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya programme, with a proposed investment of ₹12,000 crore. The state has also reported the opening of 18 government colleges and plans to establish four additional state universities.
Recruitment and Technology
|
Initiative |
Figure |
Reporting Period |
|
Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Recruited |
26,615 |
Previous two years |
|
Proposed Teacher Recruitment |
45,000 |
Next three years |
|
AI-Enabled Smart Classrooms |
32 |
Across 16 institutions |
The recruitment figures were reported by the state government during the June 2026 announcement and should be verified against future departmental notifications.
Timeline Status
|
Category |
Status |
|
Confirmed |
Policy announced on June 12, 2026 |
|
Historical |
Odisha Budget 2026-27 approved |
|
Expected |
Rollout during the current academic session |
|
Pending Verification |
Cabinet approval and detailed notification |
Important Note
As of June 13, 2026, the proposal has been announced and approved in principle. Eligibility conditions, reimbursement mechanisms, and implementation procedures remain subject to official notification.
Safety Advisory
Readers should rely only on official Odisha government portals and departmental announcements for updates.
- Do not share OTPs, passwords, or banking information.
- Avoid unofficial agents claiming guaranteed benefits.
- Verify links and messages before submitting personal documents.
- Government welfare schemes do not require payments to private individuals for approval.
Sources for Verification
- Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO)
- School and Mass Education Department, Odisha
- Higher Education Department, Odisha
- Odisha Budget 2026-27 documents
- Future cabinet resolutions and government notifications
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is based on public announcements and government statements available as of June 13, 2026. Policy provisions, financial estimates, eligibility conditions, and implementation timelines may change after the release of official notifications. Government orders and departmental circulars shall prevail in case of any revision.
Conclusion
The Odisha government’s proposed KG-to-PG free education policy seeks to expand access to general education in government and government-aided institutions. While the broad framework has been announced, detailed operational guidelines are still awaited. Students, parents, and institutions should refer to official government communications for verified updates on implementation and eligibility.