Odisha to build 235 new hostels for ST, OBC students: Development Minister

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has approved the construction of 235 new hostels for tribal and other backward class students, SC and ST Development Minister Nityanand Gond said on Thursday.

Gond made the announcement while addressing the inaugural session of the three-day state-level ‘Sargiful’ festival, organised under the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture, part of the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development, Minority and Backward Classes Welfare Department.

Highlighting the department’s achievements, the minister said over 5.5 lakh students are currently enrolled in 1,765 educational institutions and 5,963 hostels across the state. Besides, 235 new hostels have been approved for ST and other backward class students, he said.

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Madho Singh Hanth Kharcha Scheme

Under the Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, incentive amounts are being provided to students enrolled in classes 9 and 11, while enhanced pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC and ST students are expected to boost their educational development, he added.

The minister said Sargiful brings hope and joy among children and provides a powerful platform to showcase and nurture the hidden talents of ST and SC students. He added that students participating in the festival possess the potential to represent the state at higher levels and excel in various fields.

In his welcome address, SC and ST Development secretary B Parameswaran said students and teachers from Ashram Schools, Sevashram Schools, High Schools, Residential Schools and Eklavya Model Residential Schools from all 30 districts of the state are participating in the festival.

He noted that the festival is equally beneficial for both students and teachers. On the inaugural day, 10 meritorious SC/ST students who performed well in the 2025 class 10 board examination were felicitated. Sargiful festival has been organised annually since 2010, starting from the school, block and district levels and culminating at the state level.