Odisha Government Approves Creation of Additional Undergraduate Seats

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved rationalization and enhancement of seats in Undergraduate courses for the academic session 2026-27, creating 10,372 additional seats across higher education institutions in the state. 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. After considering student demand and requirement, the government has enhanced sanctioned strength in selected UG subjects of State Public Universities, Government Colleges and Aided Colleges. The revised seat matrix has already been incorporated in the SAMS Portal for the current academic session. The seat enhancement breakdown is as follows: State Public Universities will get 1,216 additional seats, Government Colleges 4,684 seats, Aided-488 Category Colleges 3,416 seats, and Aided-662 Category Colleges 1,056 seats. This takes the total increase to 10,372 seats. The notification has been sent to Regional Directors of Education at Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Berhampur, Jeypore and Sambalpur, along with PG Council Chairmen and Principals of 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.