Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has addressed a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, urging the state’s participation in the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme. This move is aimed at ensuring that Odisha avails itself of the scheme’s benefits.
The PM-USHA initiative, which will continue until March 2026 with a total outlay of Rs 12,926.10 crore, necessitates states to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education for its implementation.
In his communication to CM Patnaik, Pradhan highlighted the scheme’s significance in realizing the objectives set forth in the National Education Policy, 2020. It focuses on improving access, equity, and excellence in higher education, particularly in underserved and unserved areas, including districts with low Gross Enrollment Ratios (GER), SC/ST populations, and regions affected by left-wing extremism.
Additionally, the scheme aims to establish new educational institutions and transform existing ones to enhance the quality of higher education.
Pradhan emphasized the importance of aligning Odisha’s proposals with key reforms such as multiple entry-exit, the academic bank of credits, the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF), and Indian knowledge systems. He highlighted that this alignment would foster better integration between government policies and schemes to enhance higher education across the country.
The Education Minister noted that the submission process for proposals to receive grant-in-aid under the scheme has already commenced through a dedicated portal.
Pradhan personally appealed to CM Patnaik to oversee the matter to ensure that Odisha fully embraces the opportunities presented by the PM-Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, emphasizing the potential benefits it holds for the state’s higher education sector.