Odisha Green Passage Scheme: Eligibility, ₹5 Lakh Benefit and Apply Process

Introduction of Odisha Green Passage Scheme: A Brief Insight

Losing both parents or the family’s bread earner can make higher education difficult for a child. Without financial support, paying college fees, arranging accommodation and managing daily expenses become major challenges. The Green Passage Scheme of the Government of Odisha helps eligible children continue their education without these financial barriers.

The Government of Odisha introduced the scheme through its resolution dated 29 October 2015, and beneficiaries started receiving its benefits from the academic year 2016-17. Later, the Government revised the scheme through an order dated 6 August 2022 to include children who lost a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, implements the scheme. The District Child Protection Officer verifies the child’s eligibility and issues the required certificate, while the educational institution provides the applicable benefits.

The main objective of the Green Passage Scheme is to ensure that children without biological or adoptive parents can pursue higher education without worrying about the cost of their studies.

Under this scheme, eligible students receive exemptions from application, admission, tuition, examination, hostel admission, laboratory, library and college development fees. They also receive free accommodation and food through their educational institutions.

The fee exemption process depends on the type of college. Government colleges provide the exemption at admission, while Non-Government aided colleges exempt the fees and receive reimbursement from the Government later. Students in unaided colleges pay the fees first and can claim reimbursement of up to ₹5 lakh for the entire course.

The scheme covers general, professional and technical courses lasting at least 1 year after Class 12. Students can pursue eligible courses at Government and Non-Government colleges or universities.

Children who have no biological or adoptive parents, have lost both parents or the family’s bread-earning parent can apply. Children living in Child Care Institutions, under foster care or with a guardian can also receive benefits if they meet the scheme’s conditions.

The annual income of the guardian, fit person or surviving parent must not exceed ₹8 lakh from all sources. Applicants must submit an income certificate issued by the Tahasildar to establish that they meet this requirement.

The application process involves two stages. First, the child or guardian submits an application in Annexure-I to the District Child Protection Officer and obtains the eligibility certificate. After that, the student applies through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. For the academic year 2026-27, the last date to apply is 23 November 2026.

Students who need assistance can contact the District Child Protection Officer or their college office. Orphan students enrolled in Government Polytechnics and Government ITIs can also explore a similar scheme operated by the Skill Development and Technical Education Department.

Students who want financial assistance to purchase a laptop can explore the Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana, Odisha’s laptop scheme. Those planning to pursue higher education with a loan can check the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, while students looking for annual scholarship assistance can explore the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme.

Girl students pursuing graduation in Odisha can also check the Banishree Scholarship Scheme for information about available educational assistance.

Students, orphan children, guardians and families looking for more educational, scholarship and child welfare programmes can explore our Odisha Government Popular and Welfare Schemes page to find other schemes offered by the State Government.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Children who lose their parents or the family’s bread earner often struggle to afford higher education, accommodation and daily meals. The Green Passage Scheme of the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, helps eligible students continue their studies without these financial worries. It provides fee exemptions, free accommodation and food, along with fee reimbursement for students who pay their college fees upfront.

Fees That Are Exempted

• Application fee
• Admission and readmission fee
• Tuition fee
• Examination fee
• Hostel admission fee
• Laboratory and library fees
• College development fee and similar charges

Free Stay and Food

• Free accommodation at the college
• Free food during the student’s stay

How the Benefit Reaches You in Each Kind of College

• Government college or university: The institution exempts eligible fees at the time of admission after you submit the required documents.
• Non-Government aided college: The college provides fee exemption at admission. The Government later reimburses the institution after it submits the required vouchers to the Higher Education Department.
• Non-Government unaided college: You pay the fees at the time of admission and later claim reimbursement from the Government by submitting the required fee receipts and vouchers.
• For students in unaided colleges, the Government provides reimbursement of up to ₹5 lakh for the entire course duration.

What the Reimbursement Looks Like

• If the total course fee in an unaided college is ₹7 lakh, the Government reimburses ₹5 lakh, while you have to bear the remaining ₹2 lakh.
• If the total course fee is ₹4 lakh, the Government reimburses the entire amount because it falls within the ₹5 lakh limit.
• These examples explain how the reimbursement limit works. The actual amount depends on the fees charged by the college and the supporting vouchers you submit.

Scholarship on the State Portal

• The Odisha State Scholarship Portal displays the scholarship amount according to the course duration and provides the benefit on a yearly basis.
• The number of scholarships depends on the applications received.
• A student can receive the scholarship only once in an academic year.

Courses Covered

• General, professional and technical courses lasting at least 1 year after Class 12
• Eligible courses include Plus 3, B.Tech, Medical, Nursing, Law, MBA, MCA, M.A., M.Sc., M.Phil and Ph.D programmes

For Technical Institutes

• Orphan students enrolled in Government Polytechnics and Government ITIs receive fee exemption under a similar scheme of the Skill Development and Technical Education Department. However, refundable caution money is excluded.
• The scheme also provides a maintenance allowance of ₹2,000 to hostel students and ₹1,000 to day scholars to cover food, learning aids and other essential expenses.
• Contact your institute for the applicable terms and conditions, as this scheme follows separate rules.

How These Benefits Help You

• You can continue your higher education without worrying about eligible college fees, from Plus 3 courses to doctoral programmes.
• Free accommodation and food reduce your daily expenses and allow you to focus on your studies.
• The scheme covers Government and private colleges, giving eligible students more options for higher education.

Good to Know

• The certificate issued by the District Child Protection Officer is essential for receiving the scheme benefits. Obtain it before admission.
• If you study at an unaided college, keep all fee receipts and vouchers safely, as the Government uses these documents to process your reimbursement.
• The last date to apply through the portal for the academic year 2026-27 is 23 November 2026.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Green Passage Scheme supports children in Odisha who have lost their parents or the family member responsible for their financial support and wish to pursue higher education after Class 12. The Higher Education Department has specified eligibility conditions based on the child’s circumstances, family income, course and educational institution. Check these requirements carefully before applying.

Which Children Can Apply

• A child who has no biological or adoptive parents
• A child who has lost both parents or the single bread-earning parent
• A child living in or previously residing in a Child Care Institution
• A child under foster care or living with a guardian or fit person
• A child living with the surviving parent after losing the other parent who was the family’s bread earner
• A child who lost both parents or the bread-earning parent during the COVID-19 pandemic

Income Condition

• The annual income of the guardian, fit person or surviving parent from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh
• An income certificate issued by the Tahasildar must establish the income limit

Courses That Qualify

• General, professional or technical courses with a duration of at least 1 year after Class 12
• Eligible courses listed on the Scholarship Portal include Plus 3, B.Tech, M.Tech, Medical, Nursing, Law, Architecture, B.Ed, BBA, BCA, MBA, MCA, M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., Journalism, Hotel Management, Fashion Technology and integrated courses
• The list also includes M.Phil and Ph.D programmes
• The student must have enrolled in the course, as the portal requires a college ID card

Colleges That Qualify

• Government colleges and universities
• Non-Government colleges and universities, including aided and unaided institutions

Categories Covered

• Children from all categories can apply, including General, SC, ST, OBC or SEBC, and EBC
• The Scholarship Portal does not specify any minimum percentage requirement
• A student can receive the benefit only once in an academic year

How You Prove Your Status

• For a child living in or previously residing in a Child Care Institution, the District Child Protection Officer issues the required certificate
• For a child under foster care or living with a guardian, the Officer issues the certificate based on the Child Welfare Committee’s recommendation and the Tahasildar’s income certificate
• For a child who lost a parent during COVID-19, the applicant must submit the Specially Cared Child Certificate or I-Card along with the Tahasildar’s income certificate

Dates to Keep in Mind

• The Scholarship Portal lists the scheme for the academic year 2026-27
• The last date to apply is 23 November 2026

Who Is Not Eligible

• A child whose guardian, fit person or surviving parent has an annual income exceeding ₹8 lakh
• A child whose both parents are alive and who continues to receive support from the bread-earning parent
• A student pursuing a course shorter than 1 year or a course below Class 12 level, such as a school-level course
• A student enrolled in a college outside Odisha, as the scheme covers institutions within the State
• A student who does not have the required certificate from the District Child Protection Officer or, in the case of a COVID-19-affected child, the Specially Cared Child Certificate
• A student applying after 23 November 2026 for the academic year 2026-27

Technical Courses After Class 10 or 12

• Orphan students enrolled in Government Polytechnics and Government ITIs are covered under a similar scheme run by the Skill Development and Technical Education Department, subject to its separate eligibility rules
• That scheme provides fee exemption and a monthly allowance to eligible hostel students and day scholars. Students should contact their institute for details

Check Before You Apply

• Obtain the certificate from the District Child Protection Officer first, as the college requires it at the time of admission
• Get a valid income certificate from the Tahasildar
• Check the application deadline on the Scholarship Portal and submit your application well before the last date

Documents Required to be Attached

The Green Passage Scheme of the Higher Education Department of the Government of Odisha provides free higher education to children who have no biological or adoptive parents, as well as those who have lost both parents or a bread-earning parent. To apply, students must submit their documents through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal and obtain a certificate from the District Child Protection Officer to establish their eligibility. Keep both sets of documents ready to avoid delays in the application process.

Papers to Upload on the Scholarship Portal

• Aadhaar Card of the student
• Income certificate of the parent or guardian, showing an annual income of not more than ₹8,00,000 from all sources
• Copy of the student’s bank passbook showing the account number and IFSC code
• Recent passport-size photograph of the student
• College ID card of the student

Certificate That Proves Your Status

• Certificate in Annexure-III, issued by the District Child Protection Officer after verification, to establish the student’s eligibility for the scheme
• The college requires the original certificate at the time of admission

Papers for the Application to the District Child Protection Officer

• Application in Annexure-I, submitted to the District Child Protection Officer, who provides an acknowledgement
• Birth certificate of the child
• Recent passport-size photograph of the child
• Name, address and details of the surviving parent, guardian or fit person, foster family or Child Care Institution, as applicable
• Annual income certificate of the guardian, fit person or surviving parent, wherever applicable

Papers for a Child in a Child Care Institution

• Documents from the Child Care Institution confirming that the child is or was an inmate
• Certificate issued by the District Child Protection Officer after completing the enquiry

Papers for a Child Under Foster Care or With a Guardian

• Recommendation of the Child Welfare Committee in Annexure-II
• Income certificate issued by the Tahasildar, showing an annual income of not more than ₹8 lakh
• Documents establishing that the child has no biological or adoptive parent

Papers for a Child Who Lost a Parent in COVID-19

• Specially Cared Child Certificate or I-Card issued by the District Child Protection Unit
• Income certificate issued by the local Tahasildar, showing an annual income of not more than ₹8 lakh

Other Papers That the Officers May Ask For

• Odisha residential certificate
• Death certificate of the parent or both parents, as applicable
• Passing certificate or marks card of the last examination, along with proof of admission to the current course

Papers for the Reimbursement

• College fee receipts and vouchers, for students of unaided colleges who pay the fees first
• Bills and vouchers submitted by the college to the Department, for aided colleges

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme

You need to complete two main steps to get the benefits of the Green Passage Scheme. First, obtain a certificate from the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) to prove that you meet the scheme’s conditions. After receiving this certificate, submit your application online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. Your college will then provide the applicable fee exemption at the time of admission. For the academic year 2026-27, the portal lists 23 November 2026 as the last date to apply. Complete each step carefully and do not wait until the last date.

Before You Start

Step 1: First, check whether you qualify for the scheme. You must have no biological or adoptive parents, have lost both parents or the parent who earned for your family, or be living in a Child Care Institution or under the care of a guardian.

Step 2: Check the annual income of your guardian or surviving parent. It must not exceed ₹8 lakh from all sources.

Step 3: Make sure that you have taken admission or plan to enrol in a general, professional or technical course lasting at least 1 year after Class 12.

Step 4: Visit the Green Passage Scheme page of the Higher Education Department, Odisha and read the scheme details.

Step 5: Read the Higher Education Department’s official order dated 6 August 2022. It contains the three annexures required for the certificate process.

Step 6: Keep your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, recent photograph, college ID card and income certificate ready. You will also need other documents depending on your family situation.

Get the Certificate from the District Child Protection Officer

Step 1: Download the Green Passage Scheme application form (Annexure-I). You can also collect it from the office of the District Child Protection Officer.

Step 2: Fill in the form with the child’s name, date of birth, identification mark and details of the guardian or surviving parent. Enter the information correctly to avoid problems during verification.

Step 3: Attach the child’s birth certificate, a recent photograph, income certificate and other documents required for your particular case.

Step 4: Submit the completed form and documents to the District Child Protection Officer. Ask for an acknowledgement after submission and keep it safely as proof that you have applied.

Step 5: If you live in or previously lived in a Child Care Institution, the Officer will check your details and issue the required certificate after the enquiry.

Step 6: If you live under foster care or with a guardian, obtain the Child Welfare Committee’s recommendation in Annexure-II. Submit it along with the income certificate issued by the Tahasildar.

Step 7: If you lost a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic, submit your Specially Cared Child Certificate or I-Card issued by the District Child Protection Unit, along with the Tahasildar’s income certificate.

Step 8: After completing the verification, the District Child Protection Officer will issue your eligibility certificate in Annexure-III. Collect it and keep the original safely, as your college will require it at the time of admission.

Apply on the Odisha State Scholarship Portal

Step 1: Visit the Odisha State Scholarship Portal using your mobile phone or computer.

Step 2: Register as a student if you are a new user. If you already have an account, log in using your existing details.

Step 3: Open the scholarship section of the Higher Education Department and select the Green Passage Scheme for the academic year 2026-27.

Step 4: Select your category, such as General, SC, ST, OBC or SEBC, or EBC. Then choose your course from the available list.

Step 5: Enter your personal information, course details and bank account details. Check the account number and IFSC code carefully before moving ahead.

Step 6: Upload clear copies of your Aadhaar card, income certificate, bank passbook, recent photograph and college ID card.

Step 7: Upload the certificate issued by the District Child Protection Officer if the portal asks for it.

Step 8: Review all the information and uploaded documents. Once you confirm that everything is correct, submit your application before 23 November 2026.

Step 9: Note down your application number and save a copy of the submitted application. You may need these details to check your application status or contact the concerned office.

Take Admission in Your College

Step 1: Visit your college with the original certificate issued by the District Child Protection Officer and all other required documents.

Step 2: If you are joining a Government college or university, show your certificate during admission. The institution will provide the applicable fee exemption after checking your documents.

Step 3: If you are joining a Non-Government aided college, ask the college to provide the fee exemption at admission. The Government reimburses the institution later after it submits the required bills and vouchers.

Step 4: Ask the college about free accommodation and food available under the scheme. The institution will guide you about the arrangements for eligible students.

Claim Your Money Back from an Unaided College

Step 1: If you take admission in a Non-Government unaided college, you may have to arrange and pay the fees yourself first.

Step 2: Keep every original fee receipt and payment voucher issued by the college. These documents will be needed when you apply for reimbursement.

Step 3: Submit the required receipts and vouchers to the Higher Education Department and follow the prescribed process to claim reimbursement.

Step 4: Remember that the maximum reimbursement is ₹5 lakh for the entire course. You will have to pay any amount above this limit yourself.

If You Study in a Polytechnic or an ITI

Step 1: Visit the Directorate of Technical Education and Training, Odisha’s Green Passage Scheme page to check the provisions for technical institutes.

Step 2: Contact your Government Polytechnic or Government ITI and ask about the fee exemption and monthly maintenance allowance available to eligible orphan students under the Skill Development and Technical Education Department’s scheme.

If You Need Help

Step 1: Contact the District Child Protection Officer’s office if you need help with the eligibility certificate, application form or document verification.

Step 2: Visit your college office if you have questions about fee exemption, admission or the scholarship portal.

Step 3: You can also check the list of beneficiaries of the Green Passage Scheme published by the Higher Education Department to see the students who have received its benefits.

Important: Do not pay anyone for obtaining the eligibility certificate or fee exemption. The scheme provides these benefits to eligible children without charging an application fee for the benefit itself. Always check the latest instructions and application deadline on the official portal before submitting your application.

Green Passage Scheme for Colleges and for Technical Institutes: Which One Is for You

The Government of Odisha runs two versions of the Green Passage Scheme through separate departments. The Higher Education Department covers eligible students pursuing college and university courses, while the Skill Development and Technical Education Department provides similar support to orphan students enrolled in Government Polytechnics and Government ITIs. Check the differences below to understand which scheme applies to your course.

If you plan to pursue a degree, professional course or other eligible higher education programme after Class 12, check the Green Passage Scheme of the Higher Education Department. If you want to study a diploma course at a Government Polytechnic or join a Government ITI, contact your institute about the technical education scheme.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Odisha State Scholarship Portal: Apply Online for the Green Passage Scheme 2026-27
• Green Passage Scheme: Eligibility, Benefits and Scheme Details
• Green Passage Scheme Beneficiary List
• Green Passage Scheme Revised Guidelines and Annexures (6 August 2022)
• Green Passage Scheme Application Form (Annexure-I)
• Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha
• Green Passage Scheme for Government ITI and Polytechnic Students
• Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Odisha
• Government of Odisha Official Portal

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Department: Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, Lokaseva Bhavan, Ground Floor, Sachivalaya Marg, Bhubaneswar – 751001
• Phone: 0674-2954600
• For ITI and Polytechnic Students: Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, 2nd Floor, Kharavel Bhavan, Bhubaneswar – 751001
• Phone for ITI and Polytechnic Students: 0674-2391319
• Email for ITI and Polytechnic Students: etet.od@od.gov.in
• District Level: The District Child Protection Officer of your district, who issues the certificate, and the Child Welfare Committee, which gives its recommendation
• College Level: The office of the college where you take admission, for the fee exemption and for the portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.