The success of Odisha Vision will be measured not just in economic figures, but in the aspirations it fulfils for the millions of Odia youth it seeks to empower
Nilambar Rath
In sync with the first anniversary of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s government in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the much-anticipated ‘Odisha Vision 2036 & 2047’ document at a major public event in the state capital on 20 June 2025.
This comprehensive roadmap, a collaborative effort between the Odisha government’s Planning and Convergence Department and the NITI Aayog, lays out a strategic blueprint to transform Odisha into a developed, prosperous state, aligning with the national goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
The document is more than a set of targets; it’s a structural reimagining of the state’s economic and social fabric. At its core is the ambition to build a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047.
Central to achieving this monumental goal is the empowerment of its youth through a revolution in education and skill development, aiming to create not just jobs, but a future-ready workforce that can lead Odisha’s industrial and technological ascent.
Reimagining Education: From Foundational Learning to Global Excellence
The vision document acknowledges that Odisha’s journey begins in its classrooms. While the state has a commendable Pupil-Teacher Ratio of 23:1 and high primary school enrolment, it grapples with a 27% dropout rate at the secondary level and a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education of just 22%. The vision sets audacious goals to counter this: achieving 100% GER at all school levels and reducing the secondary dropout rate to below 4% by 2047.
To achieve this, the government plans a multi-pronged strategy:
- Foundational Strength: The ‘Nipun Odisha’ programme will be the bedrock, ensuring every child attains essential literacy and numeracy skills by Grade 3. This focus on fundamentals is designed to create a stronger learning trajectory for students as they advance.
- Holistic Schooling: Moving beyond rote learning, the vision emphasises experiential, activity-based education. The ‘PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI)’ initiative will transform 450 schools into model institutions, equipped with smart classrooms, digital libraries, and industry-linked vocational training. This is complemented by the ‘Godavarisha Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya’ plan, which aims to establish holistic learning centres at the Panchayat level, integrating multidisciplinary education with a strong emphasis on Odia culture and literature.
- Higher Education Overhaul: The roadmap for higher education is transformative. The plan includes establishing at least one Multi-disciplinary Education and Research University (MERU) in each district, ensuring equitable access to quality higher learning. The vision is not just to increase enrolment from the current 10 lakh to 40 lakh by 2047 but to elevate the quality to global standards. The goal is to have at least five Odisha-based institutions in the global top 500 rankings. To catalyse this, the state will formulate an ‘Odisha Education Investment Policy’ to attract over 25 premier national and international institutions to set up campuses, with plans for a dedicated ‘Edu-city’ in the burgeoning Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip economic corridor.
Skilled in Odisha: A Global Brand for a Future-Ready Workforce
The vision document places immense emphasis on transforming ‘Skilled-in-Odisha’ from a state initiative into a globally recognised brand synonymous with excellence. The goal is to create 1.2 crore new high-productivity jobs by 2047, a target that hinges on a radical overhaul of the skilling ecosystem.
The strategy rests on several key pillars:
- World-Class Institutions: The globally benchmarked World Skill Centre (WSC) in Bhubaneswar is set to be the hub of a network of at least seven such campuses by 2047, specializing in high-demand sectors like IT/ITeS, aerospace, semiconductors, and marine engineering. This will be supported by a robust network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in every block, with industry-driven Centres of Excellence ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and cutting-edge.
- Global Mobility: A standout ambition is to facilitate the overseas placement of at least 1 lakh skilled youth annually by 2047. This will be achieved through partnerships with foreign governments and corporations, and by integrating foreign language training and global work-readiness modules into the skilling curriculum. An ‘International Career Centre’ will be established to act as a bridge between Odisha’s talent and global opportunities.
- Seamless Integration with Education: The vision seeks to erase the traditional divide between academic education and vocational training. It proposes creating aspirational skilling pathways directly within schools and colleges. This includes launching dual-degree programmes that combine a traditional degree with a skills certification, and apprenticeship-enabled degrees that offer real-world industry experience, making graduates truly job-ready.
Fueling Aspirations: The Startup and Entrepreneurship Engine
The creation of jobs is intrinsically linked to a thriving industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Vision 2047 document outlines a bold plan to establish Odisha as the ‘Startup Hub of the East’.
- Nurturing Unicorns: The state aims to nurture 5 to 8 unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) with roots in Odisha. This will be driven by the ‘Startup Odisha’ programme, which will be significantly scaled up.
- Financial Muscle: A cornerstone of this initiative is the creation of a massive ₹10,000 crore fund-of-funds by 2036. This fund, managed by professional entities like SIDBI, will provide crucial seed and growth capital to high-potential ventures, de-risking the innovation journey for thousands of entrepreneurs.
- Grassroots Innovation: The vision extends beyond high-tech startups. The ‘nano-unicorn programme’ aims to support micro-entrepreneurship, while special emphasis is placed on empowering women entrepreneurs, with a target of 50% of all startups being owned or led by women by 2047. This aligns with broader schemes like ‘Lakhpati Didi’, which aims to create sustainable livelihoods for women across the state.
The Path Forward: Challenges and Opportunities
The Odisha Vision 2036 & 2047 is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious developmental roadmaps laid out by any Indian state. Its focus on creating a synergistic loop between education, skills, and employment is both strategic and necessary. For the youth of Odisha, it promises a future of opportunity within the state, potentially reversing the trend of brain-drain.
However, the path is laden with challenges. The successful implementation of such a grand vision requires unprecedented levels of execution, sustained political will, and massive investment, a significant portion of which is expected from the private sector. Bridging the urban-rural divide in educational infrastructure, ensuring the quality of training in a rapidly expanding skilling ecosystem, and creating a truly business-friendly environment on the ground will be critical tests.
Ultimately, the success of this vision will be measured not just in economic figures, but in the aspirations it fulfils for the millions of Odia youth it seeks to empower. If realized, it could well become a template for regional development in 21st-century India.
(A veteran media personality and communication specialist, the author is the Editor of OdishaLIVE and OdishaPlus, leading the strategy for their digital and social media channels.)
