Bhubaneswar, June 19: In a major boost for higher education, the Odisha government has approved the rationalisation and enhancement of Undergraduate (UG) seats across colleges and universities for the 2026-27 academic session, creating 10,372 additional seats statewide.
According to a notification issued by the Higher Education Department, the decision was taken after analysing admission trends from previous academic years. The department found that several UG subjects were witnessing high demand from students, while the sanctioned seat strength in those courses remained inadequate.
To address the gap and provide greater access to higher education, the government has increased the sanctioned strength in selected UG subjects across State Public Universities, Government Colleges, and Aided Colleges.
Under the revised seat matrix:
State Public Universities will receive 1,216 additional seats
Government Colleges will get 4,684 additional seats
Aided-488 Category Colleges will receive 3,416 additional seats
Aided-662 Category Colleges will get 1,056 additional seats
The total increase comes to 10,372 UG seats across the state.
The Higher Education Department informed that the revised seat strength has already been incorporated into the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal for the current admission cycle.
The notification has been forwarded to Regional Directors of Education in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Berhampur, Jeypore, and Sambalpur, as well as PG Council Chairpersons and Principals of the concerned institutions for implementation.
The move is expected to ease competition for admissions in high-demand subjects and provide more opportunities for students seeking undergraduate education in Odisha.
“After careful consideration of the demand pattern and requirement of students, the Government has enhanced the sanctioned strength in selected UG subjects of certain State Public Universities, Government Colleges and Aided Colleges for the Academic Session 2026-27. The revised strengths have already been incorporated in the SAMS Portal,” the Higher Education Department said in its notification.
