Odisha Green Passage Scheme 2025: Free Education & Hostel for Orphaned Students, Apply Now

The Green Passage Scheme was launched in 2016-17 by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, to support orphaned children and children without biological/adoptive parents in pursuing higher education.

Revised in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme now also covers children who lost their single or both parents due to COVID-19. Under this scheme, all educational fees and hostel charges are waived, and eligible students are provided free accommodation and food at educational institutions.


Benefits

Full exemption of educational fees, including:

  • Application fees
  • Admission/re-admission fees
  • Tuition fees
  • Examination fees
  • Hostel admission fees
  • Laboratory fees
  • Library fees
  • College development fees

Accommodation & Food:

  • Free hostel stay and meals for eligible students in government institutions.
  • In non-government aided colleges, fees are exempted at admission and later reimbursed by the government.
  • In non-government unaided institutions, students pay upfront and later seek reimbursement of up to ₹5,00,000 for the full course duration.

Eligibility

A student must meet any one of the following criteria:

  1. Be an orphan (without biological/adoptive parents).
  2. Lost both parents due to any cause.
  3. Lost a single bread-earning parent.
  4. Residing in a Child Care Institution (CCI), under foster care, a guardian, or a surviving parent.
  5. Annual income of the guardian/surviving parent must not exceed ₹8,00,000.
  6. Must be pursuing higher education (general/professional/technical education of at least one-year duration after Class 12 in a government or non-government institution).

Application Process

Offline Application

Case 1: Child from a Child Care Institution (CCI)

  • Apply through the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO).
  • DCPO issues the certification for the Green Passage Scheme.

Case 2: Child in Foster Care/Guardian’s Care

  • DCPO issues certification based on:
    • Recommendation of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
    • Income Certificate from the Tahasildar.

Case 3: Children of COVID-19 Victims

  • Submit the Specially Cared Child Certificate/I-Card for identification.
  • Provide Income Certificate from the concerned Tahasildar.

Documents to be submitted:

  • Annexure-I: Application Form for Green Passage Scheme.
  • Annexure-II: Recommendation by the Child Welfare Committee (if applicable).
  • Annexure-III: Certification issued by the DCPO.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card
Residential Certificate
Bank Account Passbook
Passport-size Photograph
Death Certificate of Parent(s)
Income Certificate of Guardian (if applicable)
Proof of Enrolment into the Current Course
Previous Educational Qualification Marksheet/Certificate


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When was the “Green Passage Scheme” launched?
A: It was launched in 2016-17 by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha.

Q: What changes were made during the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: The scheme was extended to cover children who lost a single or both parents due to COVID-19.

Q: What fees are exempted under the scheme?
A: All educational fees, including tuition, admission, examination, hostel, library, and laboratory fees, are covered.

Q: Are there any benefits besides fee exemption?
A: Yes, free accommodation and food are provided in government institutions.

Q: How is the fee reimbursed in non-government colleges?
A:

  • In non-government aided colleges, fees are exempted at admission and later reimbursed by the government.
  • In non-government unaided institutions, students pay upfront and later apply for reimbursement (up to ₹5,00,000 for the full course duration).

Q: Where can I get the application form for the Green Passage Scheme?
A: The application form can be obtained from the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) or relevant authorities.

Q: Is there an income eligibility criterion?
A: Yes, the guardian/foster parent/surviving parent must have an annual income of ₹8,00,000 or less.

Q: What type of courses are covered under this scheme?
A: Any higher education course (general, professional, or technical) of at least one-year duration after Class 12.

Q: How do children in Child Care Institutions (CCI) apply?
A: They apply through the DCPO, who issues certification for the scheme.

Q: What if a child lost a parent due to COVID-19?
A: They must submit the Specially Cared Child Certificate/I-Card along with an Income Certificate from the Tahasildar.

Q: Is the Death Certificate of parents mandatory?
A: Yes, it is required to verify eligibility.


Sources and References

Government Notification
 Application Form

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top