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Odisha Expands Reservation in Technical and Professional Courses

The policy change brings engineering, medical and related admissions into line with general higher-education quotas to increase access for underrepresented communities.

Overview

  • The state issued a formal notification to implement the change for the 2026-27 academic year after the cabinet approved the decision on April 4 and officials circulated the order on Tuesday, June 2.
  • Reserved shares in professional and technical courses rise sharply for Scheduled Tribes from 12% to 22.5% and for Scheduled Castes from 8% to 16.25%.
  • The government has introduced a SEBC (OBC) quota reported by major official accounts as 11.25%, though one outlet published a conflicting 16.25% figure that remains uncorroborated.
  • The new scheme covers state universities, affiliated colleges, Industrial Training Institutes and polytechnics, excludes all-India quota seats from state seat totals, and keeps horizontal reservations and EWS norms in place.
  • Officials have directed district collectors to speed up caste, domicile and income certificates so students can use the revised quotas at admission time, a move that could immediately affect seat allocation and enrollment this academic year.