Odisha's New Free Education Initiative: What You Need to Know

The Odisha government has unveiled a new free education initiative that spans from Kindergarten to Postgraduate levels. This program aims to make quality education accessible to all by eliminating financial barriers. The recently issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines the eligibility criteria, fee guidelines, and responsibilities of educational institutions. Notably, while regular academic courses will be covered, professional courses are excluded. Students must also meet a 75% attendance requirement to benefit from this initiative. Learn more about how this program aims to transform education in Odisha.

By Ambika Singh Jul 14, 2026, 14:41 IST

Overview of the Free Education Program

Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, the Odisha government released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at rolling out its free education initiative, which spans from Kindergarten (KG) to Postgraduate (PG) levels. This document details the fee structure, eligibility requirements, and the obligations of educational institutions.

The SOP indicates that the program will encompass standard academic courses provided by government-run higher education institutions. However, it will not extend to professional courses. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% to benefit from this initiative, according to sources.

Suryabanshi Suraj, the Higher Education Minister, emphasized that this initiative is designed to eliminate financial barriers that hinder students from accessing higher education, thereby promoting equitable access to quality education.

The SOP also delineates the responsibilities of educational institutions in executing the program and includes guidelines regarding fee waivers and other administrative processes.