Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Friday that education from kindergarten to postgraduate level will be made completely free in Odisha, marking what he described as a landmark policy shift. According to reports from UNI, Majhi made this announcement during celebrations of the BJP government's second anniversary in the state, stating that Odisha would be the first state in the country to provide such an extensive educational support system. The Chief Minister emphasized that this initiative would strengthen access, equity and inclusiveness in the state's education sector, particularly benefiting economically weaker sections and girls. "In order to make education truly free and universal, my government is announcing to make education from KG to PG completely free of cost. This will benefit all the students of the state, especially the economically backward classes and girls. Perhaps, such a step in the field of education will be implemented for the first time in the entire country in Odisha," Majhi stated, as reported by UNI. The announcement was made during a press conference marking two years of the BJP government in Odisha, with the Chief Minister describing the decision as a pioneering step in the education sector.
A senior government official confirmed that while the decision has been approved in principle, modalities are being worked out and could be notified after cabinet approval. The initiative is likely to commence from the current academic session, providing immediate relief to students and families. The scheme will cover institutions under both the school and mass education and higher education departments, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all government educational institutions. The announcement applies to general education across three major streams — science, arts and commerce — in all government and aided colleges in the state, with the scheme not covering technical education, medical education and other professional courses. According to UNI, the free education announcement will apply to all government institutions from KG to postgraduate level, with the initiative expected to provide significant relief to thousands of families and further boost enrolment and retention rates across schools and colleges in the state.
Emphasising the need for quality education, Majhi said literacy was no longer the primary challenge, but improving learning outcomes was. He criticised the previous BJD government, alleging it focused more on cosmetic changes than substantive reforms. Reflecting on two years of governance, Majhi described his administration as a "people's government" that works directly for citizens' progress, implementing 121 schemes that contribute to building a prosperous Odisha. The Chief Minister criticised the previous BJD government for failing to provide basic amenities during its 24-year tenure, stating that the earlier administration neglected rural development and could not ensure electricity, drinking water, or road connectivity to every village. "Knowledge is power. The position in which we are today, literacy is not a big problem. The problem is providing quality education. I wonder how this simple thing did not come to the minds of those in the 24-year-old government," Majhi asserted, as reported by UNI. He reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and empowerment through education, calling the free education initiative a transformative step for the state's youth.
Beyond education, the BJP government has achieved significant progress across multiple sectors during its two-year tenure. As reported by UNI, the government has implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and is establishing Godavarish Mishra Model Primary Schools in every panchayat (322 foundation stones laid out of proposed 2,200 schools). Over 26,615 teaching and non-teaching staff have been recruited, with plans for 45,000 more in the next three years. The state is setting up four new universities and 18 new government colleges in backward areas. On the economic front, Odisha has recorded strong economic growth of 7.2% in 2024-25 and 7.9% in 2025-26, outperforming the national average while maintaining fiscal discipline. The government has approved ₹8.69 lakh crore worth of projects through single-window clearance and secured ₹20 lakh crore in investment proposals, positioning Odisha as a preferred industrial destination. "Our vision is to transform Odisha into the higher education capital of eastern India," Majhi announced, highlighting the state's ambitious educational goals.
