Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday presented the state’s development roadmap at the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, emphasizing inclusive human development, education, healthcare, skilling, technology, and infrastructure as the pillars of a “Viksit Odisha” aligned with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Addressing the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said Odisha has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing states while maintaining fiscal discipline and responsible governance.
Odisha Tops Fiscal Health Rankings
Highlighting the state’s economic performance, Majhi said Odisha recorded a growth rate of 7.9 percent in 2025-26 while keeping fiscal deficit and debt levels within prescribed limits.
The Chief Minister noted that Odisha secured the top position in NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index 2026, reflecting strong financial management and prudent governance.
Massive Infrastructure Push Under Double-Engine Government
Majhi thanked the Union Government for allocating ₹10,928 crore for railway development in Odisha in the Union Budget 2026-27.
He said railway projects worth over ₹90,000 crore are currently under implementation, significantly improving connectivity and creating new economic opportunities.
The Chief Minister also highlighted major initiatives under Sagarmala and PM Gati Shakti, including the proposed Bahuda Deep Sea Port and National Waterway-5, which are expected to strengthen Odisha’s position as a major logistics and maritime hub.
Semiconductor Investments Mark New Industrial Era
Odisha is emerging as a destination for advanced manufacturing and electronics, Majhi said, pointing to the approval of two semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission.
According to him, these investments will help position Odisha as a key player in India’s semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.
Focus on Early Childhood Education
Emphasizing the importance of early childhood development, the Chief Minister showcased Odisha’s “Ama Kuni Pila” initiative, which focuses on responsive caregiving, early stimulation, and play-based learning for children up to three years of age.
The state has also introduced programmes such as Saksham Anganwadi, Mo Bikas Patra, Aarohan, and mother tongue-based learning initiatives to strengthen foundational education.
Majhi announced that Odisha plans to leverage Artificial Intelligence to personalize learning and monitor child development milestones.
Major Reforms in School Education
The Chief Minister said Odisha has established 44,875 Sishu Vatika classrooms benefiting over 3.17 lakh children as part of NEP-2020 implementation.
The state has also reached more than 11 lakh families through enrolment campaigns and is setting up Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary Schools in every Gram Panchayat.
To improve nutrition and retention, the government has launched Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana for students of Classes IX and X, while financial assistance is being provided to tribal students through the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana.
Mother Tongue Education for Tribal Communities
Recognizing Odisha’s large tribal population, the government is implementing multilingual education in 21 tribal languages to ensure inclusive learning opportunities.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, which provides financial incentives and educational support to girls from economically weaker families.
Transforming Odisha’s Skill Development Ecosystem
Majhi outlined an ambitious plan to modernize Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and create industry-linked Centres of Excellence.
The government plans to upgrade 10 government ITIs as Utkarsh ITIs and establish industry-focused centres in emerging sectors with significant investments.
AI laboratories are also being introduced in government ITIs under the India AI Mission to prepare youth for future employment opportunities.
World Skill Centre Expansion Planned
The World Skill Centre in Bhubaneswar will be expanded through new campuses in Sambalpur and Berhampur.
These centres will offer advanced training in sectors such as renewable energy, marine technology, agritech, hospitality, and retail.
The state has also launched specialized certification programmes in FinTech and InsurTech in collaboration with international institutions.
Higher Education Aligned with Industry Needs
Odisha has adopted the National Education Policy 2020 framework and is focusing on experiential learning, internships, and apprenticeship-linked degree programmes.
The state plans to expand apprenticeship-embedded degree programmes from 1,200 to 10,000 seats to improve employability and industry readiness.
Odisha Emerges as a Sporting Powerhouse
The Chief Minister highlighted Odisha’s growing reputation as a sports hub through investments in grassroots sports infrastructure.
Under the state’s Block Level Stadium Programme, 314 stadiums are being developed across Odisha, making it the first state in the country to undertake such a large-scale grassroots sports initiative.
The Fit Odisha Mission and CM Trophy competitions are also helping identify and nurture sporting talent from rural and tribal areas.
Technology-Driven Agriculture and Healthcare
Majhi said Odisha has completed digital crop surveys covering more than three crore agricultural plots under AgriStack, improving data accuracy and service delivery to farmers.
In healthcare, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have expanded access to preventive and curative healthcare services, benefiting millions across the state through telemedicine, wellness programmes, and health camps.
AI to Drive Governance Reforms
The Chief Minister emphasized Odisha’s commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies to improve governance.
Platforms such as Ama Sathi are enabling citizens to access government services through multilingual and voice-enabled interfaces.
The government is also exploring AI applications in agriculture, education, healthcare, grievance redressal, and disaster management.
Odisha Confident of Leading India’s Growth Story
Concluding his address, Majhi reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to becoming a key contributor to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
He expressed confidence that with continued support from the Union Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Odisha would emerge as a leading example of inclusive growth, human development, and economic transformation.