Bhubaneswar: In a significant decision, Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal for reservation for Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) students in Higher Education.
Making the announcement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told reporters that seats will be reserved for students belonging to SEBC category in government-run higher education institutions in the state from the current academic session.
“The SEBC category students will be given 11.25 % seat reservation in admission. This policy will be implemented from the current academic session,” the CM said after chairing the Cabinet meeting.
As per the decision, reservation would be provided to SEBC students in state public universities, state government and aided higher secondary and higher education institutions under the School and Mass Education Department , Higher Education department, Odia Language, Literature, & Culture department and Sports and Youth Services department starting from the 2025-26 academic year.
The Chief Minister said that the government will provide 22.5 per cent reservation to ST students, 16.25 per cent to SC students, 11.25 per cent to SEBC students, 5 per cent to PwD and one per cent to ESM in UG, PG, Teacher Education, LLB, Integrated Law, Teacher Training, vocational, B.P.Ed and M.P.Ed courses in the state.
This initiative ensures uniform implementation of reservation in admission for students belonging to different categories, the government said in a statement.
The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises promoting equity and inclusion in education. The decision is expected to benefit students from marginalised communities and promote diversity in higher education institutions across the state, it added.
