SC, ST Students in Odisha Get Major Fee Relief for Medical, Engineering Courses

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed that students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities will not be required to pay fees at the time of admission to government medical and engineering colleges in the state.

The decision was taken after the chief minister was informed that several meritorious SC and ST students were facing financial difficulties during the admission process despite successfully clearing highly competitive entrance examinations.

According to an official release issued by the state government, Majhi directed that SC and ST students admitted to government medical and engineering institutions should be exempted from paying fees at the time of admission and for six months following admission.

The move is aimed at ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent deserving students from pursuing professional education after securing admission through competitive examinations. The government said the decision would provide immediate financial relief to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and help them continue their studies without facing an initial financial burden.

The chief minister’s directive covers students from both communities seeking admission to government-run medical and engineering colleges. The state government is expected to establish the detailed mechanism for implementing the fee waiver through an official guideline.

The release said that a formal guideline will be issued soon, outlining the procedures and provisions under which eligible students can avail themselves of the benefit.

The announcement comes as part of the state government’s efforts to improve access to higher and professional education for students from SC and ST communities. By removing admission-related financial barriers, the initiative is expected to help more eligible students take up seats secured through rigorous entrance examinations.

The government’s decision is particularly significant for students who may otherwise struggle to arrange admission-related expenses immediately after clearing competitive tests and securing seats in professional institutions.