In a significant push to enhance the performance of civil services aspirants in Odisha, the state government has decided to extend its free UPSC coaching programme for another academic year, despite modest outcomes in the past. The move comes after a high-level strategic meeting involving vice-chancellors of public universities and the Higher Education Department.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced that the state will introduce a new mentorship model from the 2025-26 academic session – enlisting serving IAS and OAS (Odisha Administrative Service) officers to teach and guide selected candidates. The objective is to infuse real-time administrative insights into the programme and bridge the performance gap observed in recent years.
“We are implementing changes now and will maintain the programme for the 2025-26 session to gauge its efficacy,” said Minister Suraj.
Key Modifications in the Programme:
- Mentorship by IAS, OAS officers: Officers from the Indian Administrative Service and Odisha Administrative Service will take classes, bringing practical knowledge and motivational guidance directly to aspirants.
- Retained Structure: The selection process remains unchanged, with 200 students chosen annually through a state-conducted pre-qualifying exam.
Category-wise Allocation:
- General: 95
- ST: 45
- SC: 32
- SEBC: 23
- PwD: 5
The programme, run in partnership with Centurion University, continues to offer free coaching, hostel accommodation, and instruction by a private coaching institute.
Despite high-quality teaching resources, a major issue has been aspirants shifting focus toward Services Selection Board (SSB) exams. “This diversion is one of the biggest hurdles we face,” the Minister added.
The introduction of officer-led mentorship is expected to motivate aspirants to stay committed to the UPSC path, as the government retools its strategy to boost Odisha’s representation in India’s top civil services.
