Odisha enhances reservation for SCs, STs, in medical, technical courses

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Odisha government on Tuesday issued a notification implementing enhanced reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and introducing a quota for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, in medical, engineering and other professional courses from the academic year 2026-’27.

The decision, approved by the state Cabinet on April 4, increases reservation for students from the Scheduled Tribes to 22.5% from 12% and for students from the Scheduled Castes to 16.25% from 8%.

An 11.25% quota has also been introduced for students from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.

Seats under the all-India quota will not be included while calculating the total approved seats. The horizontal reservation system and quota for the Economically Weaker Section will be implemented in accordance with the prevailing norms, PTI reported.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that reservation in engineering, medical and other professional courses “will now be aligned with existing provisions in general higher education, ensuring greater access, equity and opportunity for all”.

Scheduled Tribes account for 22.8% of Odisha’s population, while Scheduled Castes make up 17.13%.

Written by Tanya Shrivastava. Edited by Sara Varghese.
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