Odisha Waives Admission Fees for SC-ST Students at Government Colleges

Brief By Newsbrief / 1:24 PM on 01 Sep 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a relief measure for meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students seeking admission to medical and engineering colleges. Eligible students will no longer have to pay admission fees at enrolment and will also receive a six-month deferment for fee payment.

The decision aims to help talented students from financially weaker families who clear competitive entrance examinations but struggle to arrange large upfront payments for professional courses. Under the proposed system, students can pay admission, tuition and other prescribed fees after receiving government scholarships.

The move comes after officials highlighted difficulties faced by SC-ST students in securing timely funds for admissions. Odisha had earlier strengthened reservation provisions for SC and ST candidates in medical, engineering and other professional courses.

The state government is expected to issue detailed guidelines covering eligibility, documents, payment procedures and scholarship-related requirements soon and clearly before implementation.