In a significant policy shift, the Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has increased the reservation for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from 12% to 22.5% and for Scheduled Caste (SC) students from 8% to 16.25% in medical and technical education. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting and aims to better align educational opportunities with the demographic proportions of these communities in the state. The new reservation system will also introduce an 11.25% quota for Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) students, marking the first time such a quota has been established in Odisha. This quota will be applicable across various fields including engineering, medicine, and allied health sciences, ensuring broader access to education for underrepresented groups. Additionally, the Chief Minister announced the 'Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana' for the financial year 2026-27, which will provide an extra 5 kg of rice per month to beneficiaries under existing food security schemes. This initiative aims to support over 32 million individuals currently benefiting from the National Food Security Act.