Odisha refunds Rs 69.23 crore in college admission fees to 1.11 lakh students

The Odisha government has initiated the refund of college admission fees, amounting to Rs 69.23 crore, to 1,11,678 students. This reimbursement falls under the Gyanodaya–Shiksha Ru Samruddhi free education scheme, also known as the KG to PG Free Education scheme, which was implemented for the 2026–27 academic session.

The refunds were processed by the Higher Education Department and credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible students. This measure addresses students who had paid admission fees during the first phase of undergraduate admissions before the free education scheme was fully implemented.

Gyanodaya–Shiksha RU Samruddhi Scheme Details

The Gyanodaya–Shiksha Ru Samruddhi initiative, also known as the KG to PG Free Education scheme, was introduced for the 2026–27 academic session. This scheme provides free education to eligible students enrolled in government and government-aided institutions across Odisha, as stated by officials. The Odisha Cabinet approved the broader KG-to-PG free education initiative in July 2026, with the state government projecting that approximately 32 lakh students would benefit from this comprehensive program.

Under the Gyanodaya, Shiksha Ru Samruddhi scheme, eligible students pursuing regular undergraduate and postgraduate programs at state public universities, government colleges, and government-aided private colleges are entitled to a fee waiver. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of higher education on families, if you look at officials, enabling students from eligible backgrounds to pursue their academic goals without facing admission-related financial constraints.

Process for Pending Refunds

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has urged students whose refunds are still pending to update their bank account details to support the transfer. The reimbursement process was initiated through direct bank transfers by the Higher Education Department, bypassing the need for beneficiaries to approach individual colleges for refunds.

Students who have not yet received their reimbursement should verify the bank account details they submitted through their Common Application Forms (CAFs) on the SAMS portal. A dedicated link for bank detail corrections is expected to be activated shortly on the SAMS student login portal.

Next Steps for Students

Students who have not yet received their college admission fee refunds are advised to take specific actions to ensure their reimbursement is processed. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has urged students with pending refunds to update their bank account details. Students should first check the bank account details submitted through their Common Application Forms (CAFs) on the SAMS portal.

A dedicated link for bank detail corrections is expected to be activated shortly on the SAMS student login portal. Students should visit samsodisha.gov.in for updates and further instructions. Upon logging into the student portal, they should look for this link once it becomes available and update any incorrect banking information to support the pending refund. Students are advised to monitor the official SAMS Odisha portal for the link and further instructions.

1. Students who have not received their refund should check their bank account details submitted through their Common Application Forms (CAFs) on the SAMS portal.
2. Students should visit samsodisha.gov.in for updates and further instructions.
3. Students should log in to the student portal.
4. Students should look for the dedicated bank detail correction link once it becomes available.
5. Students should update any incorrect banking information to facilitate the pending refund.
6. Students should monitor the official SAMS Odisha portal for the link and further instructions.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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