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

The Odisha government has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for its free education initiative, covering students from Kindergarten to Postgraduate levels. This program aims to make quality education accessible by eliminating financial barriers. While regular academic courses will be included, professional courses are excluded. Students must maintain a 75% attendance rate to qualify for benefits. The initiative is a significant step towards ensuring that all students can pursue higher education without financial constraints. Read on to learn more about the specifics of this program and its implications for students in Odisha.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 14, 2026, 14:41 IST

Odisha Government Unveils Free Education SOP

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

The initiative will apply to regular academic programs provided by government-run higher education institutions, but it will not extend to professional courses. Additionally, students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% to benefit from this scheme, as reported by 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 quality education for everyone.

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