Odisha to provide free education from KG to PG under new govt scheme

The Odisha government has approved free education for students from Kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level under a new initiative titled “Jnanodaya - Prosperity through Education,” a move aimed at expanding access to education and reducing the financial burden on families.

The decision was taken during the 43rd Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lokaseva Bhawan, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

Under the scheme, students pursuing education from KG through PG across the state will be eligible for free education. The government said the initiative is intended to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent students from continuing their education at any stage.

According to the state government, the program is expected to benefit students from economically weaker families, who often face difficulties in meeting educational expenses.

Officials also said the initiative is likely to encourage more girls to continue their education beyond school.

In a social media post, the CMO Odisha said, "no student or girl student of the state will be deprived of education due to financial constraints, nor will they have to drop out midway through their studies."

Education experts said the policy could improve enrollment across schools and higher education institutions while helping reduce student dropout rates.

Describing the initiative as a "revolutionary decision related to education," Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the "Jnanodaya - Prosperity through Education" scheme is intended to go beyond providing free education. The government said it aims to offer "equal opportunities for education to every child and youth of Odisha, irrespective of their economic background."

The state government is expected to issue detailed operational guidelines, including the implementation framework and eligibility criteria, in the coming days.