Odisha Cabinet approves 10-hour shifts; women to work night shifts

On Monday, September 29, 2025, the Odisha government increased its daily working hours to 10 hours, subject to a 48 -hour limit per week. In addition, night shifts subject to the written approval of women in private organizations allowed them to work.

The cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Mohan Majhi, approved a change in the 1948 Factories Law, which aims to encourage industrial investment and create more employment opportunities.

“The state government has extended the total number of working hours up to six hours and increased spreading up to 12 hours, including rest ranges, öyle.

“In cases where a worker works for more than the expected hours, they are entitled to charge twice as much as ordinary wage rates for overtime work,” he added.

In addition, overtime work limit was increased from 115 hours to 144 hours in each financial quarter.

“Women can be employed in all factories for all kinds of jobs. They can be employed before 6 in the morning and after 7:00 in the morning.”

The government is expected to make these reforms attract new investments and ensure that factories meet the highest demand and increase productivity.

Development of Model Schools

In another important decision, the cabinet approved the development of model schools under Godabarisha Adarsha Vidyyaaya (GAV) program at Gram Panchayat level.

The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, GAV plan aims to provide equal access and holistic development of the student community to education.

“This initiative is compatible with the vision of the National Education Policy (NP), 2020 and Nipun Odisha, and focuses on developing basic literacy and arithmetic skills to strengthen children socially and educationally,” he added.

In the first stage covering three years (2025-26 to 2027-28), a total of 2,200 model schools will be built with an estimated 12,000 Crore expenditure.