The Gyanodaya admission fee refund sent Rs 69.23 crore back to 1,11,678 undergraduate (UG) students in Odisha. They paid in the first phase of 2026-27. The scheme later made government college free to join.
The Higher Education Department, Odisha, made the refund. The payouts went through SAMS, the state online college portal. SAMS means Student Academic Management System.
Free entry does not mean zero cost. Students still pay the exam fee under the scheme. Hostel charges are not covered.
How big is the Gyanodaya admission fee refund?
Odisha refunded Rs 69.23 crore to 1,11,678 UG students. The Gyanodaya admission fee refund covers fees from the first phase of 2026-27. Each student had paid before the scheme took effect.
The department sent the money to students own bank accounts.
What is the Gyanodaya scheme?
The Gyanodaya scheme gives free study from KG to PG level. KG means kindergarten and PG means postgraduate. The Odisha Cabinet cleared the scheme on July 1, 2026.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi leads that cabinet.
Study was already free up to Class 8 in Odisha. The waiver now extends to college too.
Minister Suryabanshi Suraj set the rules on July 14, 2026. Suraj says Odisha is the first state to make study free this way.
Which fees does the scheme cover, and which does it not?
The scheme covers the admission fee, the re-admission fee and the development fee. It also covers other charges taken at entry.
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Students still pay the exam fee. Hostel fees stay outside the scheme.
Self-financing courses are left out too. Courses such as MBA and LLB are also excluded.
A parents body has pushed back. The Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha asked for a waiver of all fees, not just entry.
Who is eligible for the Gyanodaya scheme?
Students in regular UG and PG courses qualify for the scheme. The college must be run or aided by the government. Entry must come through SAMS.
Attendance decides who keeps the benefit. The scheme needs 75% attendance each year. A valid reason lowers that bar to 65%.
I live in a hostel. Will Gyanodaya pay my hostel fees?
No. The scheme does not cover hostel fees.
A hosteller pays room and food charges in full. Only entry-stage fees are waived.
How do students get the Gyanodaya refund?
The refund reaches the bank account in the student Common Application Form. That form is the CAF, filled during SAMS entry.
Students should check that account now. The department asks each student to confirm the credit.
A student can fix wrong bank details and finish the refund.
How much has Odisha released for the scheme so far?
Odisha has released Rs 23.90 crore to colleges under the scheme so far. That sum is 25% of the approved funds. Two instalments have gone out.
| Instalment | Amount | Share of approved funds |
|---|---|---|
| First instalment | Rs 9.56 crore | 10% |
| Second instalment | Rs 14.34 crore | 15% |
| Total released | Rs 23.90 crore | 25% |
The Total released row shows Rs 23.90 crore, a quarter of the promised funds.
The state set aside Rs 895.57 crore for the first year.
The five-year cost is Rs 5,467.55 crore. The scheme should help more than 32 lakh students each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last verified: October 31, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the Higher Education Department, Odisha before you act.
