Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi

Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi

“Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi” is a flagship program launched by the Government of Odisha, India, in 2026. Its core objective is to provide free education for students from Kindergarten (KG) to Postgraduate (PG) levels.

The scheme has been officially rolled out and will take effect from the 2026-27 academic year.

Core Features of the Scheme

  • Fee Waiver: The program provides a full waiver of admission fees for students enrolled in regular courses at government and government-aided schools, colleges, and universities.

  • Grade Coverage: It specifically covers students in Classes 9 to 12, as well as those pursuing Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) courses. Since education from Kindergarten to Class 8 was already free in Odisha, this initiative completes the free education pipeline from KG to PG.

  • Beneficiaries: An estimated over 3.2 million (32 lakh) students are expected to benefit from this scheme annually.

Scope and Exclusions

This scheme does not apply to the following types of institutions or courses:

  • Self-financed institutions

  • Non-aided (unaided) institutions

  • Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model institutions

  • Professional and technical courses (e.g., engineering, medical, management, etc.)

Objectives and Vision

The plan aims to remove financial barriers and ensure equitable access to education. Its key goals include:

  • Increasing enrollment rates across all levels.

  • Reducing dropout rates, particularly at the secondary and higher secondary levels.

  • Easing the financial burden on families.

  • Fostering a skilled and educated workforce for the state.

  • The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

  • The state’s long-term development roadmaps, namely “Odisha Vision 2036” and “Odisha Vision 2047”.

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