Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi is a flagship education scheme approved by the Odisha Cabinet on 1 July 2026. The scheme provides a complete waiver of admission fees to eligible students studying in Classes IX to XII and regular mode UG and PG courses in Government and Non-Government Aided institutions across Odisha from the academic session 2026-27. More than 32 lakh students are expected to benefit every year. For official updates, visit dhe.odisha.gov.in.
Odisha Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi (KG to PG Free Education) |
| Cabinet Approval Date | 1 July 2026 (42nd Cabinet Meeting) |
| Approved By | Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi |
| Implemented From | Academic Session 2026-27 |
| Implementing Departments | Department of School and Mass Education and Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha |
| Key Benefit | Complete waiver of admission fees |
| School Coverage | Students of Classes IX to XII in Government and Non-Government Aided Schools |
| College Coverage | Regular mode UG and PG courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges, and Non-Government Aided Colleges |
| Education Already Free | KG to Class VIII |
| Not Covered | Self-financing Institutions, Unaided Institutions, PPP Mode Courses, and Professional or Technical Programmes |
| Course Mode | Regular mode only |
| Expected Annual Beneficiaries | More than 32 lakh students |
| First Year Budget | Rs. 895.57 crore |
| Five-Year Budget | Rs. 5,467.55 crore |
| National and State Vision | Supports NEP 2020, Odisha Vision 2036, and Odisha Vision 2047 |
| School Education Portal | sme.odisha.gov.in |
| Higher Education Portal | dhe.odisha.gov.in |
Introduction of Odisha Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme: A Brief Insight
Many students in Odisha discontinue their education after Class VIII because their families struggle to pay admission fees. According to the Government, the Secondary to Higher Secondary transition rate in the state is only 70.3%, and nearly 1.5 lakh students who enrol in Class I do not complete their schooling. To address this challenge, the Odisha Cabinet approved the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme during its 42nd Cabinet meeting held on 1 July 2026 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Education from KG to Class VIII was already free in Odisha. The new scheme extends this support to students studying in Classes IX to XII in Government and Non-Government Aided Schools, as well as students pursuing regular UG and PG courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges, and Non-Government Aided Colleges. The scheme will be implemented from the 2026-27 academic session.
Under the scheme, eligible students receive a complete waiver of admission fees. It does not cover Self Financing Institutions, Unaided Institutions, PPP Mode courses, or Professional and Technical Programmes. More than 32 lakh students are expected to benefit every year. The Odisha Government has allocated Rs. 895.57 crore for the first year and Rs. 5,467.55 crore over five years for implementing the scheme.
Students who need financial assistance beyond admission fee waivers can also explore the Odisha Government Videsh Shiksha Bruthi Scheme for higher studies abroad. After completing their education, they can also improve their employability through the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) or gain practical industry experience under the PM Internship Scheme.
Parents and students looking for more education, scholarship, skill development, and welfare initiatives can explore our complete collection of Odisha Government Schemes.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
From the academic session 2026 to 27, the Government of Odisha provides the following benefits under the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme to eligible students:
- Complete waiver of admission fees for eligible students.
- Admission fee waiver for students studying in Classes IX to XII in Government and Non-Government Aided Schools.
- Admission fee waiver for students pursuing regular UG and PG courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges, and Non-Government Aided Colleges.
- More than 32 lakh students are expected to benefit from the scheme every year.
- The Government has allocated Rs. 895.57 crore for the first year of implementation.
- A total budget of Rs. 5,467.55 crore has been approved for five years.
Education from KG to Class VIII is already free in Odisha. With this scheme, the Government has extended the admission fee waiver to eligible students studying from Class IX to PG in covered institutions.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
Students must meet the following eligibility conditions to receive the admission fee waiver under the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme from the academic session 2026 to 27:
- Must be enrolled in a regular mode course.
- Must be studying in a Government or Non-Government Aided educational institution.
- School students must be studying in Classes IX to XII.
- College and university students must be pursuing regular Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate (PG) programmes in State Public Universities, Government Colleges, or Non-Government Aided Colleges.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Students studying in Self-Financing Institutions or Self-Financing Courses.
- Students enrolled in Unaided Institutions.
- Students pursuing courses offered under the PPP mode.
- Students enrolled in Professional or Technical Programmes.
- Students studying through distance, correspondence, part-time, or any mode other than regular.
Documents Required to be Attached
The Government of Odisha has not yet released a detailed list of documents for availing the benefits under the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme. Students should keep the documents required during admission ready until detailed guidelines are issued.
- Aadhaar Card
- Previous academic mark sheets and certificates.
- Transfer Certificate from the previous school or educational institution.
- Residence proof, if required by the institution.
- Caste Certificate, wherever applicable.
- Recent passport-size photograph.
The Department of School and Mass Education and the Department of Higher Education will issue detailed operational guidelines, including the document requirements, before implementation of the scheme. Students should regularly check sme.odisha.gov.in and dhe.odisha.gov.in for the latest updates.
How Beneficiaries Can Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
The Government of Odisha has announced the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme for the academic session 2026 to 27. However, the detailed implementation process is yet to be notified. Students should complete the regular admission process in eligible educational institutions and follow the instructions issued by the concerned department or institution.
Step 1: Check whether your school, college, university, and course are covered under the scheme. The benefit is available for students studying in Classes IX to XII in Government and Non-Government Aided Schools and for students pursuing regular UG and PG courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges, and Non-Government Aided Colleges.
Step 2: Apply for admission through the prescribed admission process. School students should contact their respective schools. Students seeking admission to undergraduate courses can apply through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS Odisha). Students applying for postgraduate courses should follow the admission process of their respective university or college.
Step 3: Keep all documents required for admission ready, including your Aadhaar Card, previous academic records, Transfer Certificate, and other documents, if required by the institution.
Step 4: After admission, the institution will implement the scheme in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Government of Odisha. Students should regularly check the official portals for the latest instructions and updates.
For the latest notifications and scheme updates, visit sme.odisha.gov.in for school education, dhe.odisha.gov.in for higher education, and scholarship.odisha.gov.in for scholarship-related services.
Important Links Available
- Department of School and Mass Education, Government of Odisha
- Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha
- SAMS Odisha Portal for UG Admissions
- Odisha State Scholarship Portal
- Odisha Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme Guidelines
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Higher Education Queries: Contact the Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha, for queries related to UG and PG courses.
- School Education Queries: Contact the Department of School and Mass Education, Government of Odisha, for queries related to Classes IX to XII.
- Admission Queries: Students should contact their respective Government or Non-Government Aided School, College, or State Public University for institution-specific admission and fee-related assistance.
- General Information: Visit the Government of Odisha Official Portal for the latest announcements and notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme?
Ans. The Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme is an education initiative approved by the Odisha Cabinet on 1 July 2026. The scheme provides a complete waiver of admission fees for eligible students studying in Classes IX to XII and regular UG and PG courses in Government and Non-Government Aided educational institutions from the academic session 2026 to 27.
Q. When will the scheme be implemented?
Ans. The scheme will be implemented from the academic session 2026 to 27.
Q. Who approved the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme?
Ans. The Odisha Cabinet approved the scheme during its 42nd Cabinet Meeting held on 1 July 2026 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Q. Who is eligible to receive the benefits of this scheme?
Ans. Students studying in Classes IX to XII in Government and Non-Government Aided Schools and students pursuing regular UG and PG courses in State Public Universities, Government Colleges, and Non-Government Aided Colleges are eligible, subject to the conditions notified by the Government.
Q. Does the scheme cover students from KG to Class VIII?
Ans. No. Education from KG to Class VIII was already free in Odisha. This scheme extends admission fee benefits to eligible students studying from Class IX to PG.
Q. Are professional and technical courses covered?
Ans. No. The scheme does not cover Professional or Technical Programmes, Self-Financing Institutions, Unaided Institutions, or courses offered under the PPP mode.
Q. Is a separate application required for this scheme?
Ans. The Government has not yet released detailed operational guidelines regarding the implementation process. Students should follow the admission and implementation instructions issued by the concerned department or educational institution.
Q. How many students are expected to benefit every year?
Ans. More than 32 lakh students are expected to benefit from the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme every year.
Q. What is the budget approved for the scheme?
Ans. The Odisha Government has approved Rs. 895.57 crore for the first year of implementation and Rs. 5,467.55 crore for five years.
Q. Are distance or correspondence students eligible?
Ans. No. The scheme is available only for students enrolled in regular mode courses. Distance, correspondence, and part-time courses are not covered.
Q. Which departments implement this scheme?
Ans. The Department of School and Mass Education implements the scheme for school education, while the Department of Higher Education is responsible for higher education institutions.
Q. Is there any income limit under this scheme?
Ans. The Odisha Government has not announced any income criterion for this scheme in the Cabinet decision released so far. Students should wait for the detailed operational guidelines for further clarification.
Q. How does this scheme support education in Odisha?
Ans. The scheme aims to reduce the financial burden of admission fees, improve access to secondary and higher education, and support the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020, Odisha Vision 2036, and Odisha Vision 2047.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.