Odisha releases ₹14.34 crore second installment under Gyanodaya free education scheme

The Odisha government has released ₹14.34 crore as the second installment of financial assistance to eligible higher education institutions under the Gyanodaya-Shiksha Ru Samruddhi, or KG to PG Free Education, scheme for the 2026-27 academic session.

The latest release accounts for 15% of the approved assistance and was disbursed by the Higher Education Department through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS), officials said.

The department had earlier released ₹9.56 crore as the first installment, equivalent to 10% of the approved assistance for eligible institutions. With both installments released, the total amount disbursed so far has reached ₹23.90 crore.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the phased release of funds would help institutions implement the scheme effectively and ensure eligible students can access its benefits without financial constraints.

The Gyanodaya-Shiksha Ru Samruddhi scheme covers eligible students enrolled in regular undergraduate and postgraduate programs at state public universities, government colleges and government-aided private colleges.

Under the scheme, eligible students receive a 100% waiver of the prescribed admission fee. They are required to pay only the applicable examination fee.

The initiative is intended to reduce the financial burden on students and their families and improve access to education across participating institutions.

The scheme's coverage extends to eligible students in Classes 9 to 12 as well as those pursuing regular undergraduate and postgraduate programs at participating government and government-aided institutions. The state has positioned the initiative as a KG-to-PG free education program.

The latest installment is part of the government's phased funding mechanism for the 2026-27 academic session.

The release of funds through SAMS is intended to facilitate implementation at eligible institutions and enable students covered under the scheme to receive the prescribed fee benefits.

The scheme is expected to benefit more than 32 lakh students each year across different levels of education.

By providing an admission fee waiver while retaining the prescribed examination fee, the program seeks to lower upfront education costs for eligible students pursuing regular courses in participating institutions.

The state government's latest release takes the total assistance provided during the current academic session to ₹23.90 crore, following the ₹9.56 crore first installment and the newly released ₹14.34 crore second installment.