Odisha introduces 11.25% reservation for SEBC students in higher education

Reacting to the Cabinet decision, erstwhile Union Minister and elder Congress person Srikant Jena, successful a missive to Chief Minister Majhi, criticised the measurement arsenic inadequate. File | Photo Credit: ANI

In a important argumentation decision, the Odisha Government connected Wednesday (May 14, 2025) approved a connection to present 11.25% preservation for students from the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) successful admissions to State-owned and State-funded institutions of higher education.

The decision, approved by the State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, volition beryllium implemented from the world twelvemonth 2025–26. The preservation volition beryllium applicable successful State nationalist universities, Government and aided higher secondary schools and colleges functioning nether the School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, and Sports and Youth Services Departments.

A Government connection said the determination is aimed astatine ensuring azygous implementation of preservation crossed categories. The caller argumentation aligns with the preservation operation that includes 22.5% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 16.25% for Scheduled Castes (SC), 11.25% for SEBC, 5% for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and 1% for Ex-Servicemen.

“The inaugural seeks to beforehand access, equity and inclusion, summation the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), and heighten opportunities for marginalised and disadvantaged communities successful Odisha successful enactment with the National Education Policy 2020,” the connection noted.

Odisha had hitherto not provided preservation for SEBC/OBC students successful education, contempt longstanding demands from crossed the governmental spectrum for the implementation of a 27% quota.

In the sphere of employment, the State had earlier implemented a 27% preservation for OBC/SEBC candidates successful 1994. However, this was overturned pursuing a 1998 judgement by the Odisha Administrative Tribunal, which was aboriginal upheld by the precocious tribunal successful 2007. Since then, SEBC preservation successful nationalist employment has remained astatine 11.25%.

Reacting to the Cabinet decision, erstwhile Union Minister and elder Congress person Srikant Jena, successful a missive to Chief Minister Majhi, criticised the measurement arsenic inadequate. He pointed retired that SEBCs represent astir 54% of Odisha’s colonisation and accused successive governments of neglecting their acquisition rights.

“Due to the lack of due reservation, much than 7,000 SEBC students person mislaid aesculapian seats, and astir 50,000 occupation opportunities person been denied,” Mr. Jena alleged, reiterating his request for the contiguous implementation of the constitutionally mandated 27% preservation successful some acquisition and employment.

Published - May 14, 2025 10:54 p.m. IST