THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 15, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday unveiled a series of major education, employment, infrastructure and farmer-centric announcements while addressing the 80th State-Level Independence Day celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar.

The Chief Minister announced that students of Classes IX and X will now receive free textbooks, extending the existing government provision that covers students up to Class VIII. In another major higher-education push, the state government has decided to establish 18 new government colleges in peripheral districts and four new universities, signalling an expansion of access to public higher education across Odisha.

The Chief Minister also delivered a major relief for government-job aspirants, announcing that the upper age limit for government jobs has been increased from 32 to 42 years. In a significant change to the Odisha Civil Services examination system, the government has also decided to remove the existing ceiling of six attempts.

Candidates will now be able to appear for the Odisha Civil Services examination up to the prescribed upper age limit, giving aspirants additional opportunities to compete for coveted state government positions.

Unveiling an ambitious road connectivity plan, Majhi said the Odisha government has initiated steps for three major expressway projects aimed at linking different regions of the state.

The proposed projects include the Namo Expressway from Berhampur to Jeypore, another Namo Expressway from Paralakhemundi to Ambabhona, and the Atal Expressway from Motu to Tiringi.

The state government will invest ₹31,000 crore in the three projects, the Chief Minister announced, underlining the government's focus on strengthening connectivity and integrating remote and peripheral areas with the wider state road network.

Addressing concerns among farmers over Agri-Stack registration, the Chief Minister clarified that Agri-Stack registration has no link with P-PAS registration for paddy procurement.

He said farmers would continue to be able to sell their paddy through registration under P-PAS (Paddy Procurement Automation System), seeking to dispel apprehensions that Agri-Stack registration could affect the procurement process.

With competitive examinations facing growing scrutiny, Majhi also announced a stringent policy to ensure fairness and transparency.

He said immediate and strict action would be taken against even the slightest irregularity in examinations, with the government committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates and a corruption-free examination environment.

The government has simultaneously relaxed certain restrictions governing compassionate appointments for dependants of government employees who die in service.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Majhi unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the combined parade after paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India's independence.

As many as 50 platoons participated in the state-level parade at Gandhi Marg. The contingents included the 120 Battalion, Border Security Force, CRPF, ITBP, SOG Chandaka, Andhra Pradesh Armed Police, NCC contingents from schools across Bhubaneswar, Scouts and Guides and Red Cross personnel.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg, DGP Y.B. Khurania, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Hemant Sharma, NCC DDG Vikram Singh, senior government officials, dignitaries and a large gathering of citizens attended the ceremony.

The Chief Minister also presented awards to the best platoons that had participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026.

The 120 Infantry T.A. Battalion, Bhubaneswar, and SOG Chandaka were among those recognised in the Best Uniform Armed Forces category. In the NCC categories, the NCC Senior Division (Boys) and 1 Odisha Girls Battalion NCC received recognition, while Sainik School, Bhubaneswar, was honoured in the Best Junior NCC category.

Among non-NCC schools, SAI International School, Chandrasekharpur, was recognised in the boys and girls category, while St. Xavier's High School, Khandagiri, received the award in the boys category. Capital Girls' High School, Unit-II, won the Best School Band award.

The ceremony also featured awards for tableaux that participated in the January 26, 2026 Republic Day celebrations.

The Energy Department's tableau showcasing PM Surya Ghar secured the first prize. The Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Department's tableau on “Shree Anna-Amruta Anna” won the second prize, while the School and Mass Education Department's PM-SHRI Schools tableau secured the third prize.

The Independence Day venue was decorated with portraits of Odisha's eminent personalities, reflecting the state's heritage and Odia Asmita. “Vande Mataram” and the National Anthem were performed at the beginning and end of the programme.

The parade was conducted by Baliguda SDPO Bhosale Shubham Sanjay. Information and Public Relations Department officials, including Director Anuj Kumar Das Patnaik, Director (Technical) Gurbeer Singh, Joint Director Sucheta Priyadarshini and Public Relations Officers Rozalin Sahu and Binayak Mishra, were also present and associated with the programme.