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Odisha announces free education from KG to PG in government institutions

· 5 min read·Source: The Hindu
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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on June 12, 2026 that education from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level in all government institutions in the state will be made completely free, describing it as a landmark initiative aimed at making education 'truly free and universal'. The announcement, made as the BJP-led state government completed two years in office, is intended to benefit all students, particularly those from economically weaker sections, girls and socially disadvantaged families, by significantly reducing the burden of educational expenses. Under the move, students taking admission in government schools, colleges and universities will not have to pay fees. The CM positioned the step as a major push toward inclusive development and universal access to education, which the state termed a first of its kind in the country.

Key Facts & Details

8 points
  • 1
    Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced free education from KG to PG in government institutions.
  • 2
    The announcement was made on June 12, 2026, as the state government completed two years in office.
  • 3
    Students in government schools, colleges and universities will not have to pay fees.
  • 4
    It aims to benefit economically weaker sections, girls and disadvantaged families.
  • 5
    The state described it as a landmark, first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

Deep Dive

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    The scheme covers the full education ladder, from kindergarten to postgraduate level.
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    It is positioned as a step toward inclusive development and universal access.
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    Reducing fees is meant to cut the cost burden on poorer households.
Q

Exam Focus

Which state announced free education from KG to PG in government institutions in June 2026?

Related Topics

OdishaFree EducationEducation Policy

Exam Relevance & Angle

Major state welfare and education-policy announcements are frequently tested in current affairs and General Awareness, and the state, the chief minister and the KG-to-PG free-education scope are the linkable facts examiners use in banking, SSC and state-PCS questions.

Target Exams

SBI POSBI ClerkIBPS POIBPS ClerkIBPS RRB OfficerIBPS RRB AssistantRBI Grade BNABARD Grade ASSC CGLSSC CHSLRRB NTPCLIC AAONIACL AOUPSC CSEState PCS

Background & Context

Education in India is a concurrent-list subject, meaning both the Centre and the states legislate and run programmes on it, and states operate large networks of government schools, colleges and universities. Making education free across the entire ladder — from pre-primary (KG) through higher education (PG) — is a significant welfare commitment because higher education, unlike elementary schooling (which is already a right under the Right to Education Act, 2009 for ages 6-14), typically charges fees. Such a step is aimed at improving access and retention, especially for first-generation learners, girls and students from economically weaker and socially disadvantaged sections, for whom fees and associated costs are a barrier. Odisha has in recent years expanded education and welfare schemes, and a state-funded free-education guarantee from KG to PG represents one of the more comprehensive such commitments, with the fiscal cost borne by the state government.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
Right to EducationConcurrent listHigher educationUniversal educationOdisha

Test Yourself

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Which state announced free education from KG to PG in government institutions in June 2026?

Source

The Hindu

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Odisha announces free education from KG to PG in government institutions — Current Affairs 2026-06-12