> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsanek.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Odisha approves ₹393.62 crore scheme for free Wi-Fi in 601 colleges - URL: https://newsanek.com/odisha-shikshanet-free-wifi-601-colleges/ - Published: 2026-11-10T04:32:39.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-10T04:50:39.000Z - Description: The Odisha cabinet has cleared the Shikshanet scheme for government and aided colleges. It will run from 2026-27 to 2028-29. The aim is to close the digital divide for students from poorer and rural backgrounds. - Author: Kumar Ujjwal - Tags: India, Odisha, Explainer, #sub-education, #state-odisha, #state-desk, #region-east, #sm-52, #smemo-useful, #tl-59eae3 The Odisha cabinet has approved a new scheme to give free Wi-Fi to colleges across the state. The scheme is called Odisha Shikshanet. It will cover 601 government and aided colleges. Aided colleges receive government support but are run by private bodies. The cabinet meeting was held on Monday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired it. The total cost is ₹393.62 crore. Odisha approves ₹393.62 crore free Wi-Fi scheme **₹393.62 crore**Total cost of the scheme **601**Colleges to be covered **130**Colleges in phase-I **3 years**Rollout period Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report ### Key points - Free, secure, high-speed Wi-Fi will be set up in 601 government and aided colleges. - Each student can use up to 1 GB of free internet data per day inside the campus. - More than 6 lakh students and faculty members are expected to benefit. - The scheme runs for three years, from 2026-27 to 2028-29. ## So what will students actually get? Students can use the Wi-Fi for studies, research and skill courses. The facility will support e-books and digital libraries. It will also give access to virtual classrooms and online courses. These include SWAYAM and other MOOCs, which are free online courses offered by the government. Students can also use research databases and resources for competitive exams. ## Why does this matter for students who are far from cities? Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the scheme is aimed at students from rural, remote and economically weaker families. Many of them do not have easy access to quality digital learning. The scheme builds on phase-I, which was already carried out in 130 colleges. The new plan extends this work to many more colleges. ## What happens next with the rollout? The project will include Wi-Fi installation, bandwidth, network management and cyber security. Support for operations and maintenance is also included. A central monitoring dashboard will track service delivery, network security and uptime. The scheme will be rolled out over the next three years. Explainer ### What happened before - The scheme builds on phase-I, which was already carried out in 130 colleges. - The cabinet met on Monday and cleared 13 proposals in total. ### Why it matters Students from rural, remote and poorer families often lack reliable internet for studies, so this aims to close that gap. ### What to watch next - The scheme will be rolled out over three years, from 2026-27 to 2028-29. - A central monitoring dashboard will track service, network security and uptime. --- ### Sources - [Hindustan Times: Odisha Cabinet clears 13 proposals; approves ₹393.62-cr 'Odisha Shikshanet' for free Wi-Fi](https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/odisha-cabinet-clears-13-proposals-approves-393-62-cr-odisha-shikshanet-for-free-wifi-101794281499629.html?ref=newsanek.com) - [The New Indian Express: Odisha state cabinet approves Shikshanet scheme to provide free WiFi to 601 colleges](https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2026/Nov/10/odisha-state-cabinet-approves-shikshanet-scheme-to-provide-free-wifi-to-601-colleges?ref=newsanek.com)