The Odisha government allows meritorious SC and ST students to secure admission in medical and engineering colleges without immediate fee payment
OdishaPlus Bureau
In a major relief to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, the Odisha government has decided to allow them to take admission to government medical and engineering colleges without paying admission, tuition, or other prescribed fees immediately.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed that eligible students will not be required to deposit the fees either at the time of admission or for up to six months thereafter.
The decision seeks to address a longstanding financial hurdle faced by students who clear highly competitive entrance examinations but struggle to arrange the money needed to secure their seats.
Many meritorious SC and ST students, despite qualifying for professional courses, face difficulties in paying admission and tuition fees immediately because their families cannot mobilise the required funds at short notice.
The government’s decision is particularly significant because such students are generally entitled to scholarships provided by the Central and State governments. However, the sanction and disbursement of scholarship amounts can take around three to four months, creating a financial gap between admission and receipt of assistance.
Under the new arrangement, eligible students will be able to complete the admission process without making an upfront payment and deposit the required fees after receiving their scholarship funds.
The move is expected to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent deserving SC and ST students from pursuing professional education after securing admission on merit.
The state government is expected to issue detailed guidelines for implementing the decision shortly.