Odisha on Move: From Fiscal Fragility to National Leadership

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With record economic growth, educational strides, green initiatives, and top fiscal health rankings, Odisha sets benchmark for inclusive governance

By PRADEEP KUMAR PANDA

BHUBANESWAR, June 24, 2025 – Odisha is on the move. The state is fast emerging as a national leader across sectors—from education and economy to governance and sustainability. Recent achievements highlight how the 5T (Teamwork, Technology, Transparency, Transformation, and Time-bound action) governance model has driven Odisha’s remarkable progress.

Educational Excellence

Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs) have delivered outstanding academic results in the 2025 CBSE examinations. Over 1,062 students scored more than 90% in Class X, with a pass percentage of 91.8%. In Class XII, Science stream saw 72.05% pass rate, while Commerce posted 77.6%.
In competitive exams, 28 OAV students scored above the 95 percentile in JEE Main 2025, and 130 qualified for JEE Advanced—proving that public education reform is working.

Industrial and Economic Growth

As per ICRA, Odisha’s industrial Gross State Value Added (GSVA) grew at a 10% CAGR from FY2015 to FY2024—the highest among all Indian states—driven largely by manufacturing. The state now has one of the highest industry shares in GSVA at 51% in 2024.
Odisha also recorded the second-highest growth in GSVA at constant prices (7%), outpacing the national average of 5.8%. India Ratings reports that Odisha led India’s post-COVID recovery, growing at 7.2% per annum between FY2020–FY2025.

Fiscal Turnaround

The CAG’s State of Finances Report 2023-24 underlines Odisha’s strong fiscal turnaround, with GSDP rising from ₹5.37 lakh crore in 2019-20 to ₹8.53 lakh crore in 2023-24. Revenue surplus grew by 58%, enabling funding of key welfare schemes such as BSKY, KALIA, Mission Shakti, and disaster management programs.
According to NCAER, Odisha is now among the best fiscally managed states in India—a far cry from its past burden of deficits and debt.
In fact, the NITI Aayog Fiscal Health Index Report 2025 ranked Odisha No. 1 in fiscal management with the highest overall score of 67.8%.

Social and Environmental Progress

Odisha’s school education system was hailed in the ASER 2024 report, ranking second in rural government school enrolment (88.6%) and third in Standard-III reading outcomes. With near-universal enrolment of 3- and 4-year-olds, the Odisha School Transformation Programme under 5T is delivering tangible results.

On the environmental front, the India State of Forest Report 2023 placed Odisha among the top three states in forest and tree cover expansion. The state added 559 sq km of green cover, including 118.17 sq km within Forest Rights Act (FRA) areas, and ranked third in agroforestry growth.

Urban and Public Health Advances

Odisha ranked second nationally in the Praja Urban Governance Index 2024, with commendable performance in empowering local governments, citizens, and fiscal autonomy.
It also ranked fourth in the Anemia Mukt Bharat Scorecard 2023-24, reflecting strong public health initiatives aimed at tackling nutritional deficiencies, particularly among women and children.

Rising Incomes, Rising Share

Odisha’s per-capita income as a share of the national average has risen from 55.8% in 2000-01 to 88.5% in 2023-24. The state’s contribution to national GDP has also increased from 2.3% to 2.8% during the same period. The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) recognized Odisha for its impressive economic strides over the last two decades.

From overcoming a legacy of economic fragility to emerging as a national leader in governance, Odisha’s journey is a testimony to what sustained reforms, political will, and people-centric planning can achieve. The 5T model has not only transformed Odisha—it has made the state a beacon for inclusive and sustainable growth.

(This is an opinion piece; views expressed solely belong to the author)

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