Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the newly announced Gyanodaya-Shiksharu Samruddhi scheme, clearing doubts over the implementation of its ambitious KG to PG free education programme.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the SOP ensures that no student will be deprived of higher education due to financial hardship. He also clarified that colleges will not be allowed to increase fees arbitrarily under the scheme.

Students who have already paid admission fees during the first round of admissions will receive a full refund. The refunded amount will be credited to the same bank account from which the payment was made, he said.

To prevent financial strain on colleges, the government will reimburse institutions directly in phases. Colleges will receive 10 per cent of the approved amount after admission, followed by 15 per cent in the second instalment and the remaining amount in three equal instalments of 25 per cent each during the academic year, the minister said.

The SOP also lays down eligibility conditions for students seeking benefits under the scheme. Students must maintain a minimum of 75 per cent attendance, though attendance may be relaxed up to 65 per cent under exceptional circumstances. Those failing to meet the minimum attendance requirement will not be eligible for the benefits.

The scheme is applicable only to students enrolled in regular undergraduate and postgraduate courses through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS). It covers both first-time admissions and subsequent re-admissions.

Under the scheme, students will not have to pay admission, re-admission or other institutional fees charged by eligible institutions. However, examination fees will continue to be borne by students.

The government has clarified that hostel fees are not covered under the scheme. Students opting for hostel accommodation will have to bear those expenses separately.

The SOP further states that professional and technical courses, self-financing courses, private unaided institutions and PPP-mode institutions remain outside the ambit of the scheme.

The government has also prohibited state universities, government colleges and government-aided colleges from revising fees for regular courses covered under the scheme. Institutions seeking any fee revision must obtain approval from the designated Fee Regulation Committee.

The Gyanodaya-Shiksharu Samruddhi scheme extends free education beyond the existing coverage of KG to Class VIII. From the current academic session, students of Classes IX to XII, as well as those pursuing regular undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in government universities, government colleges and government-aided colleges, will also receive free education.

According to the state government, the scheme is expected to benefit more than 32 lakh students every year.