Odisha Cabinet Approves Gyanodaya Scheme, Offering Free Education from Kindergarten to Postgraduate Level for Over 3.2 Million Students

The Odisha Cabinet has approved the Gyanodaya – Prosperity through Education scheme, a significant initiative aimed at providing free education from Kindergarten (KG) to Postgraduate (PG) levels in government and government-aided institutions. This program is set to be implemented starting from the 2026-27 academic session.

With a financial commitment of ₹5,467.55 crore over the next five years, the scheme is expected to benefit more than 32 lakh students each year. The Gyanodaya initiative seeks to address issues related to student dropouts and aims to eliminate financial obstacles to accessing higher education.

This move aligns with the governments broader efforts to enhance educational opportunities and improve literacy rates in the state. In addition, it reflects a growing trend among Indian states to promote inclusive education and ensure that quality learning is accessible to all segments of society. Further details on the implementation strategy and specific eligibility criteria for students are anticipated as the academic session approaches.