New Universities and ‘ShaktiShree’ Initiative: Odisha’s Higher Education Transformation

Bhubaneswar, April 18, 2026 — Odisha’s higher education landscape is undergoing a massive infrastructural and social overhaul, underscored by the recent passage of a ₹3,664.40 crore budget for the Higher Education Department for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The vision, as articulated by the government, focuses on two core pillars: geographic expansion through new institutions and a radical improvement in campus safety and student empowerment.

In a move to decentralize access to higher learning, the state has announced the establishment of four new universities in districts that have historically lacked robust higher education infrastructure: Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Jharsuguda. Furthermore, seven new Government Degree Colleges are being established in educationally backward blocks, including areas such as Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi and Chitrakonda in Malkangiri. These efforts are designed to ensure that students in remote and rural pockets of the state no longer have to migrate long distances to access quality undergraduate education.

Complementing this physical growth is the rollout of the ‘ShaktiShree Yojana,’ a flagship empowerment program that has garnered significant attention. With a dedicated allocation of ₹15 crore, this initiative is being implemented across all 16 state universities and 730 government-aided colleges. The scheme is specifically tailored to create a secure ecosystem for female students. It includes the establishment of ‘ShaktiShree Empowerment Centres’ on campuses, which will facilitate self-defence training, mentorship programs, and career guidance. The move also mandates comprehensive CCTV coverage and heightened security protocols, addressing long-standing concerns regarding campus safety.

The integration of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 remains a driving force behind these reforms. The budget also earmarks ₹20 crore for the ‘Chief Minister’s Research and Innovation Fellowship’ and ₹5 crore for startup development and incubation. Under the ‘Naba Srujan & Nutan Udyam’ program, the government is providing direct financial support to students who demonstrate promising research prototypes or entrepreneurial ideas.

By balancing the need for brick-and-mortar expansion with a focus on modern, research-oriented, and safe learning environments, Odisha is signaling a shift from traditional models of education toward a future-ready academic framework. This holistic approach, which prioritizes both the physical safety of its students and the intellectual growth of its scholars, positions the state as a rising hub for higher education in eastern India.