THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JUNE 12, 2026
“Odisha will provide free education from
Kindergarten to Postgraduate level, ensuring that no student is deprived of
learning opportunities due to financial constraints,” Chief Minister Mohan
Charan Majhi announced on Friday, describing the decision as a historic
intervention aimed at expanding educational access and easing the economic
burden on families across the state.
The announcement was
made during a press conference in Bhubaneswar to mark the completion of two
years of the BJP government in Odisha. The Chief Minister said the initiative
would particularly benefit students from economically weaker sections and strengthen
the state’s commitment to inclusive and equitable education.
Stating that Odisha
would be the first state in the country to implement free education across the
entire academic spectrum from KG to PG, Majhi said the decision reflects the
government’s resolve to invest in human capital and create greater
opportunities for the younger generation. “The government has decided to
introduce fee-free education from KG to PG. This will be a major support for
all students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, and will
reduce the financial pressure on families,” he said.
Reviewing his
government’s performance over the last two years, Majhi asserted that the
administration has functioned as a people-centric government since assuming
office in 2024. He said the BJP government has focused on inclusive development
and citizen welfare while accelerating the pace of governance across sectors.
“From the day we took charge, we have worked
together with the people for the progress of Odisha. The double-engine
government has delivered a double impact,” the Chief Minister said.
According to Majhi,
the state government has launched and implemented 121 schemes over the past two
years, contributing significantly to its vision of building a prosperous and
developed Odisha.
The Chief Minister
also mounted a strong critique of the previous BJD government, questioning its
development record during its uninterrupted 24-year tenure. He alleged that
despite remaining in power for over two decades, the previous administration
failed to ensure several basic amenities for citizens.
“During the so-called 24 years of good
governance, how many times were people able to question the government?
Citizens were deprived of basic facilities, and the previous government could
not ensure 24-hour electricity supply or proper road connectivity to every
village,” he said.
Majhi further
questioned what had prevented the earlier dispensation from achieving these
objectives and maintained that his government has taken concrete steps to address
long-standing developmental gaps.
Highlighting
infrastructure development as a key priority, the Chief Minister referred to
the launch of the Mission PoWaR (Power, Water and Roads) programme, aimed at
strengthening core infrastructure and improving the delivery of essential
public services throughout the state.
Reaffirming his
government’s commitment to balanced and inclusive growth, Majhi said efforts
are underway to ensure that every village receives access to basic services and
development benefits. As the BJP government completed two years in office on
Friday after ending the BJD’s 24-year rule in Odisha in 2024, the Chief
Minister projected the free KG-to-PG education initiative as a milestone reform
with the potential to transform the educational landscape of the state.
