Odisha Becomes First State to Offer Free Education from Kindergarten to Post-Graduation

In a big move aimed at expanding access to education, the Odisha government has announced free and universal education from Kindergarten to Post-Graduation across all state-run educational institutions, making it the first state in India to propose a seamless public education pathway covering the entire academic journey.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement while marking two years of the BJP government in Odisha. The initiative is intended to ensure that financial constraints do not force students to discontinue their education at any stage.

According to the state government, the policy will apply to government schools and colleges, covering students from early childhood education through postgraduate studies. Unlike many existing education assistance schemes, the initiative is being presented as a comprehensive education guarantee rather than a limited scholarship programme.

The announcement went viral soon because of its scale and scope, as well as  the good-cause attached to it. While the Right to Education (RTE) Act guarantees free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6 and 14, most state-level education schemes are restricted to specific age groups, academic stages, income categories, or gender-based beneficiaries.

For instance, Delhi provides free education in government schools up to Class 12, but the benefit does not universally extend to higher education. Tamil Nadu's Pudhumai Penn scheme offers financial support to female students pursuing higher education, while Maharashtra has introduced free higher education benefits for eligible girls from select socio-economic categories. Kerala has also taken steps towards free undergraduate education in government and aided arts and science colleges.

Odisha's latest initiative differs by attempting to bring school education, undergraduate studies, and postgraduate education under a single public framework. If implemented effectively, the model could become one of the most comprehensive education support systems in the country.

However, several operational details are yet to be clarified. It remains unclear whether the scheme will cover only tuition fees or extend to examination fees, hostel charges, laboratory fees, and other educational expenses. Education experts note that the long-term impact of the initiative will depend on its implementation, funding mechanisms, and institutional readiness.

The announcement is being seen as an important step towards improving educational accessibility and strengthening human capital development in the state. As more details emerge, Odisha's model may influence future education policy discussions across India.