Odisha raises quota for STs, SCs; introduces reservation for OBCs in medical and technical education

Odisha increases ST and SC reservation in education and introduces OBC quota, enhancing opportunities for marginalized communities.

In a landmark decision, the Odisha government on Saturday (April 4, 2026) enhanced the reservation for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students and introduced a quota for the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) in medical and technical education.

The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Bhubaneswar.

"While the quota for the ST students is raised from 12% to 22.50%, it has been enhanced from 8% to 16.25% for SCs. The state government has introduced an 11.25% quota for OBC students, who are known as SEBC in Odisha," Mr. Majhi told reporters after the meeting.

He said this new reservation system will be implemented across universities, their affiliated colleges and educational institutions, ITIs and polytechnics in the state in the fields of engineering, technology, management, computer applications, medicine, surgery, dental, nursing, pharmacy, allied health sciences, psychiatry, ayurveda, homeopathy, agriculture and allied sciences, architecture, planning and cinematic arts.

This new reservation system will also be implemented in awarding certificates, diplomas and degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in any other courses notified by the State government from time to time, a document released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

Mr. Majhi pointed out that even though the ST population in the State is more than 22%, for a long time, the reservation for them in technical, professional, medical and allied courses was only 12%. "Therefore, we have raised it according to their proportion in the population," the Chief Minister said.