Odisha has announced a landmark initiative to provide free education from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level across all government schools, colleges, and universities, becoming one of the first states in India to introduce such a comprehensive education policy. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during an event marking two years of the BJP government in the state.
The policy expands Odisha’s existing free education framework, which currently covers students up to Class 10, to include higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate education in government-run institutions. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 10 lakh students across the state.
According to the state government, the move aims to make education more accessible and reduce the financial burden on economically weaker and socially disadvantaged families. The higher education component alone is estimated to cost the state around ₹30 crore annually.
Alongside the announcement, the government outlined several education-focused initiatives, including the recruitment of 45,000 additional teachers over the next three years. Odisha has already appointed 26,615 teaching and non-teaching staff over the past two years and plans to establish four new universities and more educational institutions in rural areas.
Also Read: India expands digital education initiatives across 1.49 lakh schools
Chief Minister Majhi also highlighted the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the expansion of Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary Schools across panchayats as part of the state’s broader education reform agenda.
The KG-to-PG initiative underscores Odisha’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable education system while strengthening access to quality education for students across all socio-economic backgrounds.
