Overview
- The State Duma approved the bill in its first reading at a January 13 plenary session.
- The draft would create a separate quota allowing widows and widowers of Special Military Operation participants to enter higher and secondary vocational programs without entrance exams.
- Study would be funded from the state budget, covering bachelor’s and specialist programs as well as preparatory departments at federal universities.
- A group of senators and deputies led by Federation Council First Deputy Chair Vladimir Yakushev introduced the measure, which seeks to amend Article 71 of the education law.
- An explanatory note cites paid leave provisions for exams that enable study without quitting work, and the bill now proceeds to further readings and Federation Council review with specific quota sizes yet to be set.