Odisha Revises SC, ST Quotas; 11.25% SEBC Reservation from 2026

Odisha Notifies Revised Reservation Policy; 11.25% SEBC Quota Introduced for Professional Courses as the state government has formally implemented a new reservation structure for admissions to medical, engineering, technical, and other professional programmes. The revised policy will come into effect from the 2026-27 academic session and will apply to admissions conducted through state counselling processes. The notification follows a cabinet decision taken earlier this year and is aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). The move brings Odisha's total vertical reservation in professional education to the constitutional ceiling of 50%.

Odisha Reservation Policy 2026-27 Highlights

The revised reservation framework introduces substantial changes in seat allocation across professional institutions. Students seeking admission to medical, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, and other technical programmes will be covered under the new policy.

Odisha SEBC Reservation 2026 in Medical and Technical Education

For the first time, students belonging to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) category will receive reservation benefits in professional education institutions across the state. Earlier, SEBC reservation existed in certain sectors but was not available for admissions to medical and technical courses. The newly introduced 11.25% reservation is expected to benefit a large number of aspirants seeking admission to professional programmes through state-level counselling processes.

Odisha Medical Admission 2026: Impact of New Reservation Policy

The revised quota system will affect admissions to government and applicable professional institutions offering medical and allied health science courses. Students participating in NEET-based state counselling will be allotted seats according to the new reservation structure. The policy is expected to reshape seat distribution across categories while maintaining compliance with the Supreme Court's 50% reservation ceiling.

Odisha Engineering Admission 2026 Under Revised Quota Rules

Engineering and technical institutions will also implement the revised reservation framework from the 2026-27 admission cycle. Candidates appearing for state-level engineering counselling and related admission processes will be covered under the updated seat allocation system. The government stated that the changes are intended to improve representation of historically underrepresented communities in professional education programmes.

Why Did Odisha Revise the Reservation Structure?

The revision follows recommendations and policy discussions aimed at expanding educational access for disadvantaged communities. The state government has indicated that the new framework seeks to improve social inclusion and educational opportunities in higher and professional education. Officials have stated that the revised percentages were designed while ensuring the total reservation remains within the constitutional limit of 50%.

Courses Covered Under Odisha Reservation Policy 2026

The revised reservation framework is expected to apply across a wide range of professional programmes offered through state admission processes. The major courses covered include:

• MBBS
• BDS
• BSc Nursing
• Pharmacy Programmes
• Engineering Courses
• Technical Education Programmes
• Allied Health Science Courses
• Other Professional Degree Programmes

What Should Admission Aspirants Do Now?

Candidates preparing for NEET UG 2026, engineering entrance examinations, and other professional admission processes should carefully review the revised reservation framework while planning counselling participation and seat preference choices. Students belonging to SC, ST, and SEBC categories should ensure that all required category certificates and supporting documents are available before counselling begins for the 2026-27 academic session.

Odisha Reservation Policy 2026: Key Takeaways

The revised reservation policy marks one of the most significant changes in Odisha's professional education admission framework in recent years. By increasing SC and ST quotas and introducing SEBC reservation, the state has expanded reservation benefits while maintaining the overall 50% cap on vertical reservations. The policy is expected to influence admission trends in medical, engineering, and technical institutions beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.

Odisha Reservation Policy 2026-27 FAQs