Odisha: Reservation in technical and professional education increased
Odisha Odisha: The Odisha government has made major changes in the reservation rates in technical and professional education in the state. This information has been given through a formal memorandum of ST and SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department.
As per the memorandum, reservation for Scheduled Tribes (ST) has been increased from 12% to 22.5%. At the same time, the quota of Scheduled Castes (SC) has been increased from 8% to 16.25%. Apart from this, 11.25% reservation has also been introduced for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC), which were earlier not included under special quota in technical education.
According to government officials, this decision has been taken after getting approval in the state cabinet meeting held on April 4, 2026. The new reservation policy will be effective from the 2026-27 academic year and will be applicable to admission to engineering, medical and other professional courses in state universities, affiliated colleges, technical institutions, ITIs and polytechnics.
Government sources said that in higher education and government jobs, already 22.5% reservation is applicable for STs, 16.25% for SCs and 11.5% for SEBCs. According to the new policy, reservation will be ensured on the same scale in technical and professional education also.
Experts say that with this change, backward and marginalized sections will get more opportunities in higher education and their participation will increase. The new reservation for the SEBC category is being considered especially important, because earlier they did not get any special reservation in technical education.
After the implementation of this new policy, the ratio of reserved seats in the admission process will change in all the engineering and medical colleges of the state. Officials said that the admission committee and the respective universities will have to improve and adjust the admission process in accordance with this change.
The government has also clarified that the purpose of expansion of reservation quota is to reduce social and educational inequalities and to provide equal opportunities in education to all sections of students.
The State Education Department has ordered all technical institutes and colleges to immediately start preparations for admission as per the new reservation policy and provide information to the concerned students.
This move is being seen as an important initiative of the Odisha government towards social justice and equality in education.
