Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of Odisha was urged today to implement the PM-USHA scheme in order to improve higher education, by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-OSHA) has been approved until March 31, 2026, with a total outlay of Rs. 12926.10 crores, according to a letter Pradhan wrote to Patnaik. For it to be implemented, the State and the Ministry of Education must sign an agreement.
“The PM-USHA Scheme is an important step of the central government towards implementing the vision of National Education Policy, 2020, to attain higher levels of access, equity, and excellence in the states/UTs higher education system by prioritising the unserved and underserved areas,” the letter read.
It stated that districts with low gross enrolment ratios (GER), a high proportion of Dalits and tribals, and a history of left-wing extremism should be given particular attention. In addition, the plan seeks to modernize and establish new institutions, according to Patnaik.
“The commitment on planning and drafting the proposals by your state by aligning it with reforms such as multiple entry-exit, academic bank of credits, National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF), Indian knowledge systems, etc, will lead to better integration between the policies and schemes of the government for improving higher education in the country,” Pradhan stated in his letter.
