Odisha Cabinet approves free Wi-Fi for college students and removes OCS attempt limit
The state government has also cleared a ₹393.62 crore scheme to provide internet connectivity to 601 colleges.
The Odisha Cabinet has approved several proposals, including a ₹393.62 crore scheme to provide free Wi-Fi and up to 1 GB of daily data to students in 601 government and aided colleges, according to ANI.
The Cabinet also decided to remove the restriction on how many times eligible candidates can sit for the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination. This move is intended to offer more chances for individuals to compete for state civil service roles.
Under the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi scheme, undergraduate admissions rose by 14,758 this academic year, with 1,78,937 students enrolling in regular courses, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said. The scheme provides free education from nursery to postgraduate levels in government institutions.
In Kalahandi, the enrolment rate reached 99.09 per cent, while Koraput recorded 98.82 per cent and Balangir saw 95.57 per cent, according to reports from Telegraph India and Times Now.
The Cabinet also approved the Food and Paddy Procurement Policy for the Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27, setting a rice procurement target of 53 LMT. Farmers will receive ₹3,100 per quintal, which includes the Minimum Support Price and input assistance.
Other decisions include approving seven lift irrigation schemes in Nuapada district costing ₹268.22 crore and the Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026, to establish a regulatory framework for scientific breeding.