The Odisha government has refunded Rs 69.23 crore in college admission fees to 1,11,678 students enrolled in higher education institutions across the state under its Gyanodaya–Shiksha Ru Samruddhi free education scheme for the 2026–27 academic session, officials said.The refunds have been credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible students by the Higher Education Department. The move comes after students who secured admission during the first phase of undergraduate admissions had already paid the prescribed fees before the free education scheme was implemented.According to officials, the reimbursement process was initiated to ensure that students who had paid admission fees before the scheme came into effect were not excluded from its benefits.
Odisha government transfers admission fee refunds directly to students’ bank accounts
The Higher Education Department has advised beneficiaries to verify their bank accounts registered through the Common Application Forms (CAFs) on the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal.Students should check the account details submitted during the admission process and confirm whether the refund has been credited. The department has also urged students who are yet to receive the amount to review their banking information.Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has asked students whose refunds remain pending to update their bank account details to facilitate the transfer.According to officials, a dedicated link will shortly be activated on the SAMS student login portal. The facility will allow students to correct their bank details if their refunds could not be processed because of incorrect account information or failed transactions.Students whose payments are pending should monitor the official SAMS Odisha portal, samsodisha.gov.in, for the link and further instructions.
Why are Odisha students receiving admission fee refunds?
The reimbursement follows the rollout of the Gyanodaya–Shiksha Ru Samruddhi scheme from the 2026–27 academic session. The first phase of undergraduate admissions had concluded before the scheme was introduced, requiring students to pay the applicable admission fees to their respective institutions.With the government subsequently implementing the free education initiative, eligible students who had already paid the fees became entitled to reimbursement.The Higher Education Department has therefore initiated direct bank transfers instead of requiring beneficiaries to approach individual colleges for refunds.The latest disbursement covers 1,11,678 students, with the total reimbursement amount standing at Rs 69.23 crore.
What is the Gyanodaya–Shiksha Ru Samruddhi scheme?
The Gyanodaya–Shiksha Ru Samruddhi initiative, also known as the KG to PG Free Education scheme, was introduced for the 2026–27 academic session to provide free education to eligible students in government and government-aided institutions in Odisha.Under the scheme, eligible students pursuing regular undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at state public universities, government colleges and government-aided private colleges are entitled to the prescribed fee waiver.The initiative is aimed at reducing the financial burden of higher education on families and enabling students from eligible backgrounds to pursue their academic goals without facing admission-related financial constraints.The Odisha Cabinet approved the broader KG-to-PG free education initiative in July 2026. The state government had projected that approximately 32 lakh students across eligible institutions would benefit from the programme.
What should students do if their admission fee refund has not been credited?
Students who have not received their reimbursement should first check the bank account details submitted through their CAF on the SAMS portal.They should also follow these steps:
- Visit the official SAMS Odisha website at samsodisha.gov.in.
- Log in to the student portal using the relevant credentials.
- Check the bank account details registered during the admission process.
- Look for the dedicated bank detail correction link once it becomes available.
- Update incorrect banking information to facilitate the pending refund.
Students should note that the correction facility is expected to be activated shortly. They should rely on notifications issued by the Odisha Higher Education Department and SAMS for confirmation of the facility and further instructions.The government has urged eligible students to ensure that their banking information is accurate so that failed or pending transactions can be resolved and the remaining refunds can be processed.(With inputs from PTI)
