Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2026, has been enacted statewide as of Monday, following the approval of Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj stated that this new legislation will accelerate the process of appointing faculty to vacant positions in public universities across the State.

Suraj explained that the Act was passed after the Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2026, received approval from the Assembly after extensive discussions that ran late into the night on March 31.

Expressing his appreciation to the Governor, Suraj characterized the Act as a significant initiative aimed at ensuring proper representation of Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) within the higher education sector. He emphasized that this Act will bring about substantial reforms in the State’s higher education system.

The minister indicated that the Act marks a pivotal change in the reservation system by treating each university as a single unit for implementing reservations in faculty recruitment, moving away from the previous department-wise reservation approach.

Under the new framework, reservations will be applied to the direct recruitment of faculty positions, including Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors, thereby ensuring fair representation of reserved categories across universities.

Additionally, Suraj noted that several long-standing vacant Vice-Chancellor positions in State public universities have recently been filled, with appointments made in 14 universities.

He remarked that academicians from Odisha have been given leadership roles, which is anticipated to enhance the academic environment in the State. Suraj expressed confidence that, under the guidance of the newly appointed vice-chancellors, universities will concentrate on providing quality, research-oriented higher education.