Reservation / Dharmendra Pradhan Welcomes Historic Reservation Hike In Odisha For ST, SC, SEBC In Medical, Technical Courses
·2 days ago·3 min read
Key Points
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan termed the reservation hike a "historic step" towards fulfilling aspirations of marginalised sections and thanked PM Modi and CM Majhi.
Bhubaneswar, Apr 5: The Odisha Cabinet has approved a significant increase in reservation in medical, technical, agricultural and allied higher education courses, a move welcomed by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday, who termed it a “historic step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the most marginalised sections of society.”
“This decision is a historic step towards realising the dreams of talented students from the last mile of society,” Pradhan said.
Reservation Hike Across Categories
As per the decision, reservation for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students has been increased from 12% to 22.50%, while for Scheduled Caste (SC) students it has risen from 8% to 16.25%.
For the first time, students belonging to Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) will receive 11.25% reservation in admissions to higher education courses.
In a detailed post on 'X', Pradhan wrote that the move would significantly expand access to professional education for disadvantaged groups.
“Ensuring social justice is the core principle of governance under Prime Minister Modi. Equal opportunity, rights and dignity for every section of society remain our priority,” he said.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Calls Vidya Bharti ‘Successful Reference Point’ in India’s Education System
Long-Pending Demand
Pradhan highlighted that he had written multiple letters to the state government over the years -- on July 25, 2019; January 15, 2020; December 31, 2020; April 17, 2025; and August 6, 2025 -- urging an increase in reservation for OBC and SEBC categories in education and employment.
He noted that following his request, the Odisha Cabinet had earlier approved 11.25% reservation for SEBC students in higher and higher secondary education on May 14, 2025.
Also Read: Odisha Cabinet Launches Annapurna Yojana, Beneficiaries to Get Additional 5 kg of Rice
Boost for Aspirants
“This decision will empower meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds and help them realise their dreams of pursuing medical and engineering education,” Pradhan added.
He expressed gratitude to Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, ST & SC Development Minister Nityananda Gond, Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Technical Education Minister Sampad Swain for their roles in the decision.
Social Justice Push
The minister said the move reflects the government’s commitment to ‘Antyodaya’ -- uplifting the last person in the queue -- and aligns with the vision of inclusive growth.
“The decision strengthens our commitment to ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and ensures that no deserving student is left behind,” he said.
“This decision is a historic step towards realising the dreams of talented students from the last mile of society,” Pradhan said.
Reservation Hike Across Categories
As per the decision, reservation for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students has been increased from 12% to 22.50%, while for Scheduled Caste (SC) students it has risen from 8% to 16.25%.
For the first time, students belonging to Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) will receive 11.25% reservation in admissions to higher education courses.
In a detailed post on 'X', Pradhan wrote that the move would significantly expand access to professional education for disadvantaged groups.
The Union Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for the decision.ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମେଡ଼ିକାଲ, ଇଞ୍ଜିନିୟରି, କୃଷି ତଥା ଆନୁସଙ୍ଗିକ ପ୍ରଯୁକ୍ତିବିଦ୍ୟାଭିତ୍ତିକ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପାଠ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ନାମଲେଖା ପାଇଁ ରାଜ୍ୟର ଅନୁସୂଚିତ ଜନଜାତିଙ୍କ ନିମନ୍ତେ ସଂରକ୍ଷଣକୁ ୧୨% ରୁ ୨୨.୫୦% ଓ ଅନୁସୂଚିତ ଜାତି ପାଇଁ ୮% ରୁ ୧୬.୨୫% କୁ ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରିବା ସହିତ ପ୍ରଥମ ଥର ପାଇଁ ସାମାଜିକ ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷାଗତ ଭାବେ ପଛୁଆବର୍ଗ (ଏସଇବିସି)…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 5, 2026
“Ensuring social justice is the core principle of governance under Prime Minister Modi. Equal opportunity, rights and dignity for every section of society remain our priority,” he said.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Calls Vidya Bharti ‘Successful Reference Point’ in India’s Education System
Long-Pending Demand
Pradhan highlighted that he had written multiple letters to the state government over the years -- on July 25, 2019; January 15, 2020; December 31, 2020; April 17, 2025; and August 6, 2025 -- urging an increase in reservation for OBC and SEBC categories in education and employment.
He noted that following his request, the Odisha Cabinet had earlier approved 11.25% reservation for SEBC students in higher and higher secondary education on May 14, 2025.
Also Read: Odisha Cabinet Launches Annapurna Yojana, Beneficiaries to Get Additional 5 kg of Rice
Boost for Aspirants
“This decision will empower meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds and help them realise their dreams of pursuing medical and engineering education,” Pradhan added.
He expressed gratitude to Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, ST & SC Development Minister Nityananda Gond, Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Technical Education Minister Sampad Swain for their roles in the decision.
Social Justice Push
The minister said the move reflects the government’s commitment to ‘Antyodaya’ -- uplifting the last person in the queue -- and aligns with the vision of inclusive growth.
“The decision strengthens our commitment to ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and ensures that no deserving student is left behind,” he said.
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