The Odisha Higher Education Department made a significant decision to permit the establishment of new degree or professional colleges in the state. The High-Power Committee (HPC) made the choice during a meeting on November 9, 2022.
With the exception of nationally and internationally recognised educational institutions, the HPC had earlier in 2019 decided not to issue approval for the opening of new degree or professional colleges for a period of five years beginning with the academic session 2020–21.
In light of the community’s needs and goals in terms of education, the committee recently resolved to reverse the aforementioned decision.
It is important to note that the PG admissions process is still ongoing and that a number of seats are open. In light of these facts, concerns are now being voiced over the higher education department’s choice to permit the establishment of private degree-granting or professional colleges in the state.
Odisha has 24 colleges per lakh people, compared to the average of 30 institutions across India, according to the results of the All India Survey on Higher Education. Odisha’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is 21.7 compared to the average of 27.1 for all of India. In order to meet the educational needs and aspirations of the students and improve the GER, the government believes that it is now essential to pursue the opening of additional colleges, streams, and courses.
In addition, it has been determined to grant approval for an increase in seats and the introduction of new subjects, streams, and courses (including PG courses) for the academic year 2022–2023 regardless of NIRF ranking, NBA accreditation, or NAAC CGPA score.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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