Odisha CM announces free education from KG to PG in govt. institutions

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Friday, June 12, 2026, that education from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level will be made completely free in all government institutions in Odisha.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion of the Bharatiya Janata Party government completing two years in the State, Mr. Majhi said, “Our government is committed to making education truly free and universal. Therefore, I am announcing that education from KG to PG level will be completely free.”

The Chief Minister said that the initiative will benefit all students in the state, especially the economically weaker sections and girls.

Meal plan coming soon

In another announcement, Mr. Majhi said the government will introduce PM Annapurna Yojana to strengthen food security. Under the programme, all beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act and the State Food Security Program will receive an additional 5 kg of rice per month free of charge.

“As a result, each beneficiary will be given 10 kg of rice free of charge every month. 3.28 crore beneficiaries, covering nearly 80 per cent of the State’s population, will benefit from the scheme. The State government will spend ₹8,813 crore annually on this programme,” he said.

Mr. Majhi said that in the education sector, the government has taken two historic steps: implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which he said was on hold due to political reasons, and establishment of Godabaris Mishra Model Primary Schools in every panchayat. He said that out of 2,200 schools planned in the first phase, foundation stones had been laid for 322. Over the last two years, 26,615 teaching and non-teaching staff have been recruited, he said, adding that 45,000 more teachers would be recruited over three years.