Odisha University Act 2024 Brings Key Reforms to Higher Education

The Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 has officially come into force following the Governor’s assent on April 12, days after it was passed in the Odisha Assembly on April 2. This landmark legislation aims to introduce structural reforms in higher education across the state.

Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj expressed his gratitude to Governor Dr. Haribabu Kambhampati and called the development a “new dawn” for the state’s academic institutions. He highlighted the Act’s intent to address persistent challenges, strengthen university autonomy, and raise academic standards.

Key Reforms in the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024

1. Decentralized Teacher Recruitment

One of the most notable changes is the removal of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) from the faculty recruitment process. Instead, each university will establish its own expert committee to handle the hiring of teachers. This change is designed to:

• Speed up the recruitment timeline
• Ensure subject-specific selection
• Allow greater institutional control over appointments

2. New Vice-Chancellor Selection Process

The Act introduces a three-member selection committee composed of reputed educationists for appointing Vice-Chancellors. Additionally, the age limit for the position has been raised from 67 to 70 years, allowing seasoned academic leaders to continue contributing to university governance.

3. Reintroduction of the University Senate

The Act reinstates the Senate, the highest advisory body in universities, consisting of 68 members including faculty, students, experts, and staff. Key features include:

• Mandatory two Senate meetings per year
• Broader participation in strategic decisions
• Promotion of transparency and inclusiveness

Focus on Expansion and Equity in Higher Education

To ensure a balanced and inclusive education system, the Act outlines several progressive initiatives:

• Improving the teacher-student ratio across institutions
• Introducing distance education in every university to improve access
• Raising the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) to bring more students into the higher education fold

These steps are expected to expand outreach, especially to rural and marginalized communities.

Financial Oversight and Accountability

For better governance, each university will establish:

• A Finance Committee
• A Building and Construction Committee

Moreover, all financial records will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. These audit reports will be submitted to the Odisha Legislative Assembly, ensuring transparency in fund usage and infrastructure development.

Conclusion

The Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 represents a major step toward academic autonomy, efficient administration, and inclusive growth in the state’s higher education system. By streamlining recruitment, reinforcing governance, and promoting access, the Act sets the stage for long-term institutional progress.

As Odisha moves forward, these reforms are expected to reshape the higher education landscape, benefiting students, educators, and the broader academic community alike.