The Odisha government has officially notified enhanced reservation quotas for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and a newly introduced category for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) in admissions to professional educational institutions across the state.
Notification and Legal Basis
An order issued by the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development Department confirmed that the decision was taken earlier this year following recommendations from the policy planning body under the Odisha Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Fixation of Fee) Act, 2007. The revised policy aims to ensure greater representation of marginalized communities in higher and professional education.
Revised Reservation Percentages
Under the new policy, the reservation for ST students has been increased from 12% to 22.50%, while the quota for SC students has been raised from 8% to 16.25%. Additionally, a new reservation of 11.25% has been introduced for SEBC students. These changes reflect a significant expansion of affirmative action in the state's education sector.
Scope of Applicability
The revised reservation structure will apply to a wide range of professional courses, including engineering, technology, management, medicine, dental sciences, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, agriculture, architecture, polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and other professional programs offered by institutions under various state government departments. The policy will be implemented uniformly across all professional educational institutions in Odisha.
Implementation Timeline
The revised reservation policy will come into effect from the new 2026-27 academic session. This timeline allows institutions to adjust their admission procedures and ensure compliance with the new quotas. The government emphasized that the policy is designed to enhance representation of tribal, scheduled caste, and socially and educationally backward communities in higher and professional education.
Exemptions and Existing Provisions
Seats falling under the all India quota will remain outside the purview of this reservation policy. Furthermore, existing horizontal reservations and provisions for economically weaker sections (EWS), persons with disabilities, ex-servicemen, and other eligible categories will continue as per existing norms. This ensures that the new quotas do not disrupt other affirmative action measures already in place.
This landmark decision is expected to significantly increase access to professional education for historically disadvantaged groups in Odisha, promoting social equity and inclusive development.
