Odisha’s higher education expands fast but lacks quality, research, and employability. Experts call for reforms to match growth with excellence
Bhaskar Parichha
The sprawling campus of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, with its stately trees and colonial-era classrooms, stands as a metaphor for Odisha’s higher education system — old in foundation, ambitious in scope, and struggling to reinvent itself for a new century. From the corridors of Ravenshaw and Berhampur to new-age technical institutes in Rourkela and Koraput, higher education in the state is transforming — yet remains caught in a paradox of expansion without elevation.
Odisha today has 36 universities and more than 1,200 colleges, spread across 30 districts. On paper, the system has grown impressively since the early 2000s, when the state had fewer than 20 universities. The spread of institutions — including autonomous colleges, private universities, and specialised institutes in agriculture, law, and health sciences — should ideally mean greater access.
Yet, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education — the percentage of youth aged 18 to 23 attending college — remains stubbornly low at 22.1 percent, compared to the national average of 27.8 percent. The gap may look small, but it translates into tens of thousands of young Odias missing out on tertiary education. In rural and tribal-dominated districts such as Malkangiri, Kandhamal, and Nabarangpur, the figures are even more disheartening.
The Odisha Economic Survey 2023–24 acknowledges this mismatch. Despite the rise in the number of institutions, enrolment per college has been falling — from an average of 680 students a few years ago to 573 now. Only about 5 percent of these colleges offer postgraduate programs, and fewer than 300 institutions have been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Educationists argue that Odisha’s higher education story reflects a familiar Indian pattern: rapid quantitative expansion without a corresponding improvement in quality. Vacancies in faculty positions continue to plague public colleges and universities. In some districts, up to 40 percent of sanctioned teaching posts remain unfilled. Laboratories are outdated, libraries understocked, and hostels overcrowded. The digital infrastructure — a key determinant in today’s blended-learning era — remains patchy outside major cities.
In private institutions, the situation is more uneven. A few have managed to maintain quality, particularly those with technical or professional courses. But many others are caught between commercial pressures and weak regulatory oversight. As a result, Odisha’s higher education sector is marked by disparity — not just between public and private, but between urban and rural, mainstream and marginalised.
Despite these challenges, the state has made strides in inclusion. The enrolment of women, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) has increased steadily, thanks to scholarships, hostels, and targeted outreach. The government’s decision in 2025 to provide 11.25 percent reservation for Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBCs) in higher education adds another layer of equity.
Still, inclusion without quality remains a double-edged sword. As Prof. Mohanty notes, “Getting students into college is only half the battle. The bigger task is ensuring they acquire skills that make them employable.” The employability of graduates, especially from general degree colleges, remains a persistent worry. A 2023 survey by the India Skills Report found that only around 42 percent of graduates in Odisha were “employable” by industry standards — below the national average.
To tackle systemic weaknesses, the state government has rolled out a series of policy measures. The Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2024, enables the upgradation of high-performing colleges into universities and lays the groundwork for a robust framework for distance and online education. The idea is to reach students in remote and tribal belts where access to physical campuses remains limited.
Another reform involves rationalising institutions. Colleges or courses with persistently low enrolment may be merged or phased out, freeing resources for more relevant and job-oriented programs. This has sparked debate: while efficiency is necessary, closure of rural colleges could further alienate first-generation learners unless balanced by online or blended models.
The government is also tightening governance norms. All higher education institutions have been directed to set up Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) by September 2024 to address sexual harassment and promote safer campuses — a much-needed step in line with UGC guidelines.
If access and equity have seen progress, research and innovation remain Odisha’s weakest links. Only a handful of universities — notably NIT Rourkela, KIIT, and the Institute of Physics in Bhubaneswar — feature in national research rankings. For most others, research is a marginal activity, constrained by lack of funds, mentorship, and collaboration.
The disconnect between academia and industry is another long-standing issue. Odisha’s economy has grown in sectors such as mining, steel, and services, yet universities have not evolved to supply the skills these industries need. Courses in data science, renewable energy, logistics, and environmental studies are still rare outside private campuses.
The roots of the crisis, however, begin much earlier. Odisha’s school education system still struggles with high dropout rates — around 27 percent at the secondary level (classes IX–X), one of the highest in India. This sharply narrows the funnel of students entering college. Many of those who complete higher secondary education migrate to other states or abroad in search of better opportunities.
A recent white paper warned that by 2035, Odisha could lose nearly five lakh students to foreign universities unless local higher education institutions upgrade quickly. The trend is already visible: coaching hubs in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are dotted with students preparing for SAT, IELTS, and GREs.
Policymakers are aware that higher education holds the key to the state’s economic future. Odisha’s vision for 2036 — the centenary of its statehood — envisions a knowledge-driven economy where education fuels entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusion. The roadmap includes digital learning platforms, interdisciplinary research centres, and industry-linked curricula. But real transformation, experts say, will require not just new institutions or policies, but a cultural shift — a move from credentialism to capability.
Odisha’s journey in higher education thus stands at a critical juncture. The infrastructure is expanding, and inclusivity is improving, but excellence remains elusive. Unless quality, innovation, and relevance are placed at the heart of reform, the state risks producing a generation of graduates who are educated but unemployable.
As Odisha moves toward its 100th year as a modern state, its classrooms, labs, and lecture halls must reflect the aspirations of a new era — one where knowledge is not just acquired, but applied; where degrees are not just earned, but empowered.
(The author is a senior journalist and columnist. Views expressed are personal.)
