Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has launched the 'FIT College Programme' under the broader framework of the 'FIT Odisha Mission', making fitness, wellness, sports participation and mental health initiatives an integral part of higher educational institutions across the state. The programme will be implemented in all universities and colleges under the Higher Education Department.

The Higher Education Department, through a letter, has directed registrars of public and private universities and principals of government and aided degree colleges to immediately begin implementation of the programme.

The initiative aims to promote a culture of fitness, wellness, healthy living, sports participation, mental well-being and holistic student development. Colleges and universities will be required to institutionalise activities related to physical fitness, yoga, sports, counselling, preventive healthcare awareness and healthy lifestyle promotion.

As part of the implementation framework, every institution must constitute a Central Coordination Committee headed by the Vice-Chancellor or Principal. Institutions will also have to appoint a Nodal Officer and a Counselling and Wellness Coordinator. Student clubs focusing on sports, yoga, wellness, nutrition, mental health and outdoor activities will be formed to carry forward the programme.

The guidelines prescribe a wide range of activities, including regular physical exercise sessions, yoga and meditation programmes, sports competitions, mini marathons, fitness runs, cyclothons, mental health awareness campaigns, counselling support, nutrition education and preventive healthcare initiatives. Institutions have also been encouraged to utilise playgrounds, gyms, yoga spaces and other fitness infrastructure more effectively.

A major feature of the programme is the introduction of a FIT College Performance Index, a 100-mark evaluation framework that will assess institutions on various parameters such as governance, fitness activities, yoga and wellness programmes, sports participation, student inclusiveness, mental health support, preventive healthcare awareness, innovation, infrastructure utilisation and documentation.

Under the grading system, institutions scoring between 85 and 100 marks will be categorised as Excellent FIT Campus, while those securing 70-84 marks will be graded Very Good FIT Campus. Colleges scoring below 40 marks will be placed in the 'Needs Improvement' category.

The government has also proposed special recognitions for outstanding institutions, including awards such as Best FIT University/College, Best Yoga and Wellness Campus, Best Student Participation Model, Best Women Participation Initiative and Best Counselling and Mental Wellness Initiative.

Institutions have been instructed to prepare annual fitness and wellness calendars, maintain detailed records of activities and submit quarterly progress reports to the department.