Bhubaneswar, 13/10/2026: Under the leadership of Shri Naveen Patnaik, the BJD
Government brought about a transformative change in Odisha’s higher education
sector between 2000 and 2024. During this period, Odisha made significant progress
in student enrolment, the establishment of universities and medical colleges, the
provision of scholarships, the development of technical education, and the expansion
of educational infrastructure, stated the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
In a press statement issued today, the party’s Media Coordinator, Dr. Lenin
Mohanty, stated that student enrolment in higher education increased from 3.2 lakh
in 2000 to 6.5 lakh in 2023, including 3.8 lakh girls. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER)
rose from 11% to 21%. During the same period, the number of colleges increased
from 548 to 1,024, universities from 8 to 42, and medical colleges from 3 to 15. The
budget of the Higher Education Department increased from ₹473 crore to ₹3,173
crore, while expenditure on infrastructure rose from ₹20 crore to ₹260 crore.
Several prominent institutions were established during this period, including
Ravenshaw University, Rama Devi Women’s University, Gangadhar Meher University,
Odisha State Open University, Khallikote Unitary University, Kalahandi University,
Rajendra University, and Madhusudan Law University. Substantial infrastructure
support was also extended to national institutions such as IIT, AIIMS, NISER, IISER,
IIM, and the Central University. Several initiatives were introduced to promote access
to higher education, including the Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme, Kalinga
Sikhya Sathi Yojana, and the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha Odisha (NUA-O) Scholarship.
Free laptops were distributed under the Biju Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana, and free Wi-
Fi facilities were also provided. The NUA-O Scholarship Scheme has since been
discontinued by the present BJP Government.
Dr. Mohanty further stated that the academic environment was strengthened
through the implementation of the Choice-Based Credit System, the Odisha Higher
Education Excellence Programme, and the Odisha University Research and Innovation
Plan, along with the recruitment of a large number of faculty members. Launched in
2019, the Mo College Abhiyan connected alumni with their alma maters and contributed to the development of around 850 educational institutions. Odisha also
received the prestigious Scorch Award in recognition of these initiatives.
Furthermore, the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2020, was introduced to
modernise and improve university governance. A centralised admission system was
also implemented through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS),
making the admission process more streamlined and accessible.
Shri Naveen Patnaik had consistently emphasised his commitment to ensuring
that every Odia student had access to quality higher education. He had stated,
“Education is the foundation of a New Odisha. The strong foundation created by the
Biju Janata Dal Government in this sector will empower future generations.”
He had also emphasised that these achievements were made possible by the
support and cooperation of the people of Odisha. The Biju Janata Dal remains
committed to further strengthening the higher education sector and ensuring greater
opportunities for students across the state.
