Bhubaneswar, July 13 (UDN): More than 7,100 students across Odisha are awaiting the refund of admission fees paid for enrolment in higher educational institutions under the State Government’s Free Education from KG to PG initiative.

According to official sources, 7,108 students who secured admission under the scheme have already deposited their admission fees during the enrolment process and are now expecting reimbursement from the government. The delay in the refund process has become a matter of concern for many students and their families.

The KG to PG Free Education Scheme, introduced by the Odisha Government, aims to make education more accessible by eliminating financial barriers for students pursuing higher studies in government institutions. Under the programme, eligible students are entitled to reimbursement of admission fees after completing the prescribed verification and approval procedures.

Officials said the refund process is being carried out in phases after scrutiny of student records and institutional data. Authorities have assured that eligible beneficiaries will receive the reimbursement once the verification process is completed.

Students and parents have urged the government to expedite the disbursement of the pending refunds, stating that timely reimbursement would ease their financial burden, particularly for those from economically weaker backgrounds.

The initiative is considered one of the state’s major education reforms, with the objective of promoting equitable access to education and encouraging greater enrolment in higher educational institutions across Odisha.