Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department of Odisha has released the official notification for undergraduate (+3) admissions into degree colleges for the 2026-27 academic year, inviting aspiring students to apply through the centralised Student Academic Management System (SAMS).
The Common Application Form (CAF) will be available on the official SAMS portal (www.samsodisha.gov.in) (www.samsodisha.gov.in) starting 4 PM on May 27. Students can fill and submit the form online until June 10. The first merit list is expected to be published on June 17.
E-admissions will cover Plus-III (undergraduate) courses in government, aided, and self-financing degree colleges, as well as Sanskrit (Shastri) colleges across the state. The entire process will be conducted online through the SAMS platform to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Officials have emphasised that the admission process aligns fully with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This marks a significant shift from the traditional three-year structure to a more flexible four-year undergraduate programme. Students will now have multiple exit options: a certificate after the first year, a diploma after the second year, a bachelor’s degree after the third year, and an honours degree upon completing the fourth year.
Under the NEP framework, applicants will enjoy greater flexibility while filling the CAF. They can choose combinations such as a single major with two minors, double majors, or three minor subjects, depending on their academic interests and career goals. This multidisciplinary approach aims to provide a more holistic and customisable education.
The undergraduate classes for the new academic session are expected to commence by July 9.
