Bhubaneswar, Apr 14 (BNP): The Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2026 has come into effect across the state from Monday, following the assent of Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
Officials from the Higher Education Department said the new legislation is aimed at ensuring greater representation of Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in faculty positions across state universities.
The Act was enacted after the Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2026 was passed in the State Assembly on March 31, following an extensive discussion that continued late into the night.
Describing it as a landmark reform, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the legislation marks a significant step towards inclusive growth in the higher education sector. “The Act will ensure adequate representation of ST, SC and SEBC communities in faculty recruitment, strengthening social equity within universities,” he stated.
A key feature of the Act is a major shift in the reservation framework, wherein each university will now be treated as a single unit for implementing reservation in teachers’ recruitment. This replaces the earlier system of department-wise reservation, and is expected to streamline the process while improving overall representation.
The implementation of the Act is being seen as a crucial reform initiative by the state government to promote inclusivity, transparency, and balanced representation in Odisha’s higher education system.
