The government and aided colleges in Odisha that hold a valid grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) will now receive priority for launching self-financing courses under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. This decision follows a standard operating procedure (SOP) released by the higher education department on Saturday, which aims to enhance the academic ecosystem and broaden access to industry-relevant courses.
Expansion of Eligibility
Previously, only autonomous colleges and universities were permitted to introduce such courses. Under the new SOP, regular colleges affiliated with public universities are also eligible to host PPP-based self-financing courses, provided they possess a valid NAAC grade, officials confirmed.
This marks the first time an SOP has been issued for these courses in the state, which were previously introduced without a regulated framework across institutions. Colleges that are not NAAC-accredited may still be considered for opening such courses, but only after a detailed suitability assessment.
Inspection and Approval Process
As per the guidelines, a joint inspection by the regional director of education and the concerned university will evaluate infrastructure, faculty readiness, and institutional capacity before granting approval.
The cap on self-financing courses remains unchanged. According to the chancellor's 2022 directive, the student strength in self-financing courses must not exceed 20% of the total strength of regular courses in universities, while colleges can go up to 30%. This cap is subject to revision by the government for the 2026-27 academic session.
PPP Model Details
Currently, self-financing courses are offered either directly or under PPP. In the PPP mode, a memorandum of understanding is signed with a private organization that operates the course on a revenue-sharing basis—either 70:30 or 60:40—with the host institution. The institution provides infrastructure, while the private partner manages the curriculum, faculty, examinations, and other academic aspects.
Selection and Duration
The SOP states that private agencies will be selected through a competitive request for proposal process, encouraging participation from both state-based and out-of-state educational organizations. The initial engagement period will be five years, with provisions for renewal based on performance.
Importantly, agencies must ensure uninterrupted education for enrolled students, even if their contract expires or is not renewed. In such cases, the government may transfer responsibility either to the institution itself or to a newly appointed agency.
Regulatory Compliance
The SOP also mandates strict compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies, such as the University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education, before commencing academic sessions.
Officials stated that the revised SOP aims to attract high-quality educational partners while safeguarding student interests and maintaining institutional integrity.
