Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level in government schools, colleges and universities, describing the move as a landmark step towards making education universally accessible.
The announcement was made during a press conference marking two years of the BJP government in the state.
Majhi said the decision would particularly benefit students from economically weaker sections, girls and those living in rural and tribal areas, helping remove financial barriers to education.
“In order to make education truly free and universal, my government is announcing to make education from KG to PG completely free of cost. Perhaps, such a step in the field of education will be implemented for the first time in the entire country in Odisha,” the chief minister said.
The state government expects the initiative to benefit lakhs of students studying in Odisha's vast network of government-run educational institutions.
Odisha has more than 50,000 government and government-aided schools catering to millions of students across primary, secondary and higher secondary levels. The state also has hundreds of government and aided colleges and a large network of public universities that serve students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
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Officials said the scheme is aimed at ensuring that students can continue their education without being constrained by tuition costs at any stage of their academic journey.
The announcement comes amid the state government's efforts to improve educational outcomes and expand access to quality learning opportunities.
Majhi said investment in education was crucial for strengthening Odisha's human resource base and creating long-term development opportunities. He added that the decision would help build a skilled workforce while encouraging higher enrolment and retention rates, particularly among disadvantaged communities.
The chief minister described the initiative as an investment in the future of Odisha's youth, asserting that education should be accessible to every child regardless of economic background.
The government is expected to issue detailed guidelines on the implementation of the scheme, including the institutions and categories of students covered under the new policy.
The move is likely to place Odisha among the few states offering comprehensive financial support for education across all levels, from early schooling to postgraduate studies.
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