By Nageshwar Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, November 11, 2026: In a bid to provide uninterrupted internet services to students, the Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved a Rs 393.62 crore scheme to provide free Wi-Fi to students in government and aided colleges.

According to the CMO Odisha’s X (formerly Twitter), under the Odisha Shikshanet scheme, students across 601 government and aided colleges will receive free Wi-Fi connectivity and up to 1 GB of data per day. The scheme has been approved with a total outlay of Rs 393.62 crore.

A connected college is not simply about providing Wi-Fi; it is about ensuring that students have access to reliable and secure connectivity wherever they study. Digital access makes learning more collaborative. Students can work on shared documents, join virtual classrooms, exchange feedback and communicate with faculty beyond scheduled lessons.

In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the 600 MW Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project at Ranibahal in Kalahandi district, with an investment of Rs 4,708.64 crore. The project aims to strengthen energy storage capacity and improve grid stability.

The Cabinet also removed the limit on the number of attempts for eligible candidates appearing in the Odisha Civil Services (OCS) Examination. The move is expected to provide candidates with greater opportunities to compete for state civil services.

In another significant move, the Cabinet approved amendments to facilitate the direct recruitment of 19 Assistant Town Planners through the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). The amendments include revised age and educational criteria.

It also approved the restructuring of the Panchayat Executive Officers cadre, creating a restructured cadre of 3,294 posts. The move aims to provide enhanced career progression opportunities and strengthen grassroots administration. For trainee judicial officers, the Cabinet approved one year of institutional training followed by one year of structured Law Clerkship.

The Cabinet also cleared seven mega lift irrigation schemes in Nuapada district with an execution cost of Rs 268.22 crore. The schemes are expected to create irrigation potential across 8,800 hectares, covering 59 villages.

It also approved two in-stream storage projects in Balangir district.

The project near Patharla village has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 99.99 crore. It is intended to ensure water supply to 12 villages and support local livelihoods.

The Kursud In-stream Storage Project on the Indra River has been approved at a cost of Rs 81.36 crore. It is expected to benefit 17 drought-prone villages across the Titilagarh and Bangomunda blocks.

The Cabinet approved the Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026, to establish a regulatory framework for scientific breeding, quality assurance and traceability of breeding services.

The proposed framework focuses on improving livestock productivity.

The Cabinet also approved the Food and Paddy Procurement Policy for the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2026-27. Under the policy, Odisha has set a procurement target of 53 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice, equivalent to approximately 78 LMT of paddy.

Farmers will receive Rs 3,100 per quintal, including the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved an extension of the deadline for replacing institutional dealers with private dealers under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to September 30, 2027.

The decisions are aimed at expanding educational access, creating employment and career opportunities, improving water management and strengthening agricultural and administrative systems across the state.