Odisha Cabinet Approves Free Textbooks for Classes IX-X
The Odisha Cabinet approved a free textbook scheme for 28.7 lakh students in Classes IX and X and a ₹500-crore urban drainage programme, alongside 14 other proposals aimed at infrastructure and education.
The Odisha Cabinet has cleared a free textbooks scheme for students in Classes IX and X and approved a major ₹500-crore urban drainage programme. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi headed the State Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 13, which gave the green light to 16 proposals across 11 departments.
The 'Supply of Free Textbooks' scheme targets students in Government and Government-aided Secondary schools, excluding Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students who are already covered under existing provisions up to Class VIII. The scheme aims to ensure equitable access to quality education, reduce the financial burden on economically weaker families, and improve enrolment and lower dropout rates in government schools. It is intended to facilitate a higher transition rate from elementary to secondary education.
Infrastructure and other approvals
The Cabinet also approved a Rs 500 crore urban storm-water drainage programme, a disaster recovery-cum-data centre in Keonjhar, and 13 other proposals. The drainage scheme, funded from the state's own resources, will run from 2026-27 to 2030-31. It covers urban local bodies and selected block headquarters.
| Scheme Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Urban Drainage Programme | ₹500 crore allocation |
| Implementation Period | 2026-27 to 2030-31 |
| Disaster Recovery Centre Cost | Over ₹176 crore (₹154 crore capital, ₹22.83 crore operational for five years) |
| Tustapali In-Stream Storage Project | Tender worth ₹105 crore |
| Mahanadi Waterfront Development | ₹133.72 crore approved |
| Dakshyata Vikas Yojana | ₹450 crore for youth skilling |
| Corpus Fund for Agriculture | ₹1,360 crore for fertilisers and seeds |
The interventions for the drainage scheme include desilting, construction of RCC stormwater drains, covering of drains, restoration of natural drainage channels, and linkage with water bodies. It is expected to reduce waterlogging, promote groundwater recharge, improve public safety, and support climate-resilient urban development.
The disaster recovery data centre in Keonjhar, with over ₹176 crore allocated, will strengthen continuity for critical government digital services hosted at the Odisha State Data Centre in Bhubaneswar. Chief Secretary Anu Garg explained the rationale behind the location. "Both Keonjhar and Bhubaneswar are located in different seismic zones. If there is any damage in Bhubaneswar, data could remain safe at the Keonjhar centre." The project will receive ₹162.83 crore from the Fifth State Finance Commission grant-in-aid.
Other major approvals included a ₹105 crore tender for an in-stream water storage project on the Tel river to mitigate water scarcity in Bolangir district, Stage-II development of Astaranga Fishing Harbour, an amendment to the Industrial Policy Resolution 2022, reforms in education service rules, and approval of land for postal infrastructure in Rairangpur.
Implementation details for textbook scheme
The total estimated outlay for the free textbooks scheme is Rs 284.07 crore for a tentative 28.7 lakh beneficiaries. It will be implemented for five academic sessions from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
Textbooks will be printed and supplied to all schools well before the start of each academic session. Procurement will include paper, printing, transportation, and distribution, following a transparent, competitive, and economical process in compliance with Odisha General Financial Rules. The School and Mass Education Department will establish a mechanism for the collection, verification, and validation of beneficiary data through field-level checks.
Challenges in textbook supply
The new scheme launches against a backdrop of past quality control issues in textbook supply. Over 1,600 mistakes were found in 55 textbooks supplied by the department.
The free textbooks scheme will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
