Odisha School Faces Scrutiny After 15-Year-Old Delivers Baby at Hostel

A Class 10 student gave birth hours after her board exam, prompting investigations into school oversight and a rape case against a detained suspect.

A 15-year-old girl from a government-run residential school in Odisha delivered a baby on the hostel terrace after taking her Class 10 board exam.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, suspending the headmaster, auxiliary nurse midwife, and dismissing the hostel matron for negligence.
Police have detained a 22-year-old man from a neighboring village, registering a rape case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant laws.
The girl's father and school officials questioned how her pregnancy went unnoticed despite regular health check-ups in the hostel.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about student safety in Odisha's SC/ST residential schools, with past audits flagging poor infrastructure and inadequate supervision.