In a latest update, Odisha Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), an initiative aimed at enhancing and transforming, the state’s higher education sector.

 

The programme was introduced through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state and the Union Education Ministry, in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan, and state Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

Under this initiative, the central government will contribute Rs 500 crore towards the development and infrastructure of higher education institutions across Odisha. Minister Pradhan described August 31 as a landmark day for the state's educational landscape, emphasising the programme’s alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the National Education Policy, 2020.

Key formations of PM-USHA

The PM-USHA programme is designed to ensure access, equity, and excellence in higher education throughout Odisha. The funding structure includes 60 percent of the grants from the Centre, with the remaining 40 percent covered by the state. This initiative aims to transform Odisha's state universities into world-class institutions, equipping students with 21st-century skills.