Odisha Cabinet approves scheme to provide free Wi-Fi facility in colleges

Taking a significant decision on Monday, the Odisha Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide free Wi-Fi facilities in the state's colleges. Under this scheme, internet facilities will be provided in 601 government and aided colleges in the state. The Cabinet has sanctioned an amount of ₹393.62 crore for this project.

The scheme, titled 'Odisha Shikshanate, Empowering Students Through a Free Wi-Fi Internet Facility to All Colleges and Universities', will be implemented over a three-year period from 2026-27 to 2028-29. Under this initiative, every student will be entitled to receive up to 1 GB of free high-speed internet data daily within the campus for academic purposes, research, and skill development.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, more than 6,00,000 students and faculty members are expected to benefit in the first phase of this scheme. The implementation of this project will include the installation of Wi-Fi infrastructure, bandwidth arrangement, network management, cyber security measures, as well as support for operations and maintenance. A central monitoring system will also be established to oversee network connectivity, security, service delivery, and data usage.

Through this facility, students will be able to access e-books, digital libraries, virtual classrooms, open online courses, research databases, competitive exam materials, and digital skill development platforms. Additionally, students will also be able to benefit from e-governance services and scholarship portals.

Other important decisions were also taken by the Cabinet, including changes to the number of attempts allowed for the state's civil services examination. The Odisha Civil Services (Combined Competitive Recruitment Examination) Rules, 1991, have been amended to remove the limit on attempts for General category candidates. Now, General category candidates below the age of 42 will be able to appear for the examination without any limit. Previously, there was a maximum limit of six attempts for General category candidates. Nine attempts are permitted for candidates from Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, while there is no restriction on attempts for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.

Furthermore, a tender of ₹99.99 crore has also been approved for the construction of an in-stream storage structure on the Indra/Sundar river, a tributary of the Tel river, near Patharla village in Titlagarh block of Balangir district. The project aims to be completed in 30 months, so that excess river water during the monsoon can be stored for use during the winter season. Approximately 90% of the annual rainfall in Odisha occurs between June and October, resulting in abundant flow in the rivers which eventually flows into the sea. This project will provide a sustainable domestic water supply to about 12 villages in the Titlagarh and Bangomunda blocks and will also support animal husbandry, fisheries, and other livelihood activities.