Education / Odisha Govt Committed to Higher Education, Skills and Research: BJP

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said the Odisha government is prioritising higher education reforms, skill development and research-driven learning while building upon the transformative changes introduced in the education sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The party particularly highlighted the role played by former Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), which it described as a landmark reform aimed at making India's education system more holistic, multidisciplinary and employment-oriented.

#WATCH | Bhubaneswar: BJP Odisha spokesperson Anil Biswal cited an expansion of India’s higher education infrastructure under the Modi government and highlighted Dharmendra Pradhan’s role in implementing the National Education Policy. #DharmendraPradhan #HigherEducation #Odisha #Odisha #BJP

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Educational Infrastructure Grows Across India

Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters here, party spokesperson Anil Biswal said both the Centre and the Odisha government have taken significant measures to expand access to quality education, strengthen academic infrastructure and enhance career opportunities for students.

Biswal said India has witnessed unprecedented growth in higher education over the past decade. He noted that the number of universities in the country has increased from 760 before 2014-15 to 1,289, reflecting nearly 70 per cent growth, while the number of students enrolled in higher education has risen from 3.42 crore in 2013 to around 4.5 crore.

Dharmendra Pradhan's NEP Push

Highlighting Pradhan's tenure as Union Education Minister, Biswal said the implementation of the National Education Policy marked a turning point in India's education landscape by promoting flexibility in learning, skill-based education, multidisciplinary studies and stronger industry-academia linkages.

He further said the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 before 2014 to 846, while MBBS seats have risen from 51,348 to 1,39,864. The number of degree colleges has also increased from around 38,000 to more than 48,000.

According to Biswal, the number of IITs has grown from 16 to 23, while student enrolment in these institutes has more than doubled. Similarly, the number of IIMs has increased from 13 to 21 and AIIMS institutions from seven to 20.

He said these achievements reflect the Centre's commitment to creating greater educational opportunities and empowering the country's youth through quality education.

Odisha's Education Roadmap

Focusing on Odisha, Biswal described the state's KG-to-PG free education initiative as a landmark programme. He also cited the appointment of vice-chancellors in 14 universities, recruitment of faculty members and financial assistance worth Rs677 crore under PM-USHA and state government schemes.

He said the state government has initiated measures to promote artificial intelligence, smart education, fintech learning and semiconductor-focused educational ecosystems, aligning higher education with emerging technological trends.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Lauds PM Modi’s 25 Years of Leadership, Cites Transformative Impact On India

Focus on Skills and Employability

National Mahila Morcha Social Media Convenor Sujata Padhi said the Odisha government is implementing the National Education Policy with a strong emphasis on employability, innovation and research.

She highlighted initiatives such as smart classrooms, digital education, research fellowships, scholarships, hostel facilities and financial assistance programmes for meritorious and economically disadvantaged students.

Padhi said the government's vision goes beyond merely awarding degrees and seeks to integrate education with skill development, research and employment opportunities. She added that efforts are being made to create an education ecosystem where academic excellence is complemented by innovation, entrepreneurship and industry-relevant skills, ensuring better career prospects for Odisha's youth.