The Odisha government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, has announced a significant enhancement in reservation provisions aimed at Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) for medical, engineering, and other professional educational courses. This decision, effective from the academic year 2026-2027, seeks to bolster educational opportunities for these communities while also introducing a new quota for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs).
Following the approval from the state Cabinet on April 4, the reservation for Scheduled Tribes has been elevated from 12% to 22.5%, while Scheduled Castes will now benefit from a reservation increase from 8% to 16.25%. Additionally, a quota of 11.25% has been set aside for the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusivity in higher education.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized that the new reservation framework will align professional courses with the existing provisions found in general higher education. This move is intended to ensure equitable access to educational resources, enabling a wider demographic to pursue careers in critical fields such as medicine and engineering. The Chief Minister expressed optimism about the decision, stating it would contribute to greater social equity and opportunity for all.
It is noteworthy that the implementation of these reservations will not affect the all-India quota when determining the total number of approved seats in these courses. The government has also confirmed that the horizontal reservation system and quotas for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will follow current regulations, ensuring compliance with existing educational policies.
Demographically, Scheduled Tribes make up around 22.8% of Odisha’s total population, while Scheduled Castes represent approximately 17.13%. This demographic context underscores the importance of such measures in addressing educational disparities and facilitating social upliftment through targeted policies.
