Bhubaneswar, April 4: The Supreme Court has upheld the Orissa High Court’s decision granting eligibility for full grant-in-aid (GIA) to employees of aided educational institutions under the 1994 GIA Order.

A two-judge bench, led by Justices J.K. Maheswari and Atul S. Chandurkar, dismissed the state's appeals on March 25, confirming the high court’s ruling. The March 19, 2025, judgment by Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy had stated that unaided schools, girls' schools, and colleges could not be denied GIA benefits if they were recommended before the repeal of the scheme in 2004.

The Supreme Court agreed with the high court’s direction to extend the benefits within six months, rejecting the state's objections and dismissing over 60 petitions on similar grounds. The ruling concludes a prolonged legal battle and is expected to impact many grant-in-aid claims in Odisha.