The Supreme Court has upheld an Odisha High Court ruling making the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID voluntary for students. The court mandated that schools must include an 'opt-out' option in consent forms and cannot force parents to provide data. This decision applies to all CBSE schools across India, ensuring that no student is barred from board exams due to the lack of an APAAR ID, thus protecting student data privacy. https://odishasambad.in/apaar-consent-must-be-voluntary-supreme-court-tells-cbse-to-follow-orissa-hc-order-pan-india/

Aroshish Panda from Yaloe village in Subarnapur district has successfully cleared the NEET UG exam in his second attempt. Scoring 572 out of 720, he secured an All India Rank of 21,471. Despite qualifying for IISER, his dream of becoming a doctor led him to prioritize NEET. He dedicated 12-14 hours daily to his studies and credits his success to his parents and teachers. https://www.dharitri.com/aroshish-panda-shines-in-neet-on-second-attempt-fulfils-dream-of-becoming-a-doctor/

Cloudburst triggered flash floods in Boh Valley, Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, washing away 14 houses and cattle sheds. While no loss of life was reported as residents moved to safety in time, many families have been displaced. The district administration and SDRF are conducting rescue and relief operations. Additionally, severe rainfall in Odisha's Gajapati district resulted in 4 people being washed away. Weather department has issued heavy rain and landslide alerts for the coming days. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/himachal-pradesh-kangra-cloudburst-flash-flood-damages-14-houses-12185518

The Odisha State Election Commission is gearing up for the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections, likely to be held in April or May. For the first time since 1994, a door-to-door survey will be conducted from October 26 to November 7 to prepare an error-free voter list. Final lists are expected by February 10, with official notifications likely in March. To prevent duplicate voting, a 'De-duplication Tool' will be used. The Commission has also ordered the repair of old ballot boxes and the procurement of 8,000 new ones. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/odisha-gears-up-for-panchayat-elections-with-massive-voter-survey-12185454

Odisha's prison system is set for a major upgrade with AI cameras being installed in all jails to monitor inmates and prevent disturbances. DG Prisons Sushant Nath announced the establishment of a model jail in Bhubaneswar and open-air jails in seven circles. To focus on rehabilitation, yoga instructors and mental health counselors have been appointed across various prisons. Additionally, the Prison Development Board decided to increase wall heights and enhance industrial training for over 1,600 inmates through small-scale industries. https://odishasambad.in/there-will-be-a-big-change-in-prison-security-open-jails-will-be-started-in-7-circle-jails-of-the-state/

According to the UDISE+ report, Odisha's primary education system is facing a severe shortage of teachers. Around 1,458 schools in the state are running with only a single teacher, affecting approximately 60,000 students. Koraput district is worst hit with 119 such schools. This trend has seen a 34% increase in the 2025-26 academic year. Protests have erupted in districts like Subarnapur and Ganjam where parents and students are demanding the filling of vacant posts. Nationally, over 1 lakh schools operate with a single teacher, with Andhra Pradesh topping the list. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/odisha-schools-face-teacher-shortages-as-thousands-of-students-depend-on-single-teachers-across-districts-12185460

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Management Information System (MIS) in selecting beneficiaries for the PM Awas Yojana in Odisha has sparked controversy. Despite ground surveys marking many as eligible, thousands of names—including 4,214 in Cuttack's Mahanga block alone—have been excluded during automated data verification. Reports from Gajapati, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts highlight the plight of families living in dilapidated huts or under polythene sheets who were removed from the list. Local officials state the process is automated via MIS, and re-investigation depends on further state government directives. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/pm-awas-survey-raises-questions-over-ai-powered-beneficiary-selection-12185486

Following a police lathi charge on students during the 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi regarding the NEET paper leak, several Bollywood celebrities including Bhumi Pednekar, Sonakshi Sinha, Diljit Dosanjh, and Hansal Mehta have voiced their support for the protesters. They emphasized that the voices of the youth regarding their education and future must be heard and urged for a peaceful resolution through dialogue rather than force. The stars took to social media to criticize the police action and demand a permanent solution to the paper leak issue. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/bollywood-celebrities-support-neet-paper-leak-protest-chalo-sansad-12185489

The Odisha government has installed AI-based cameras in 20 prisons to enhance security. These cameras will trigger alarms if inmates approach prison walls or engage in suspicious gatherings or brawls. Additionally, plans for 'Open Prisons' in 7 circle jails are underway to rehabilitate well-behaved inmates. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeeodisha/state-news/ai-cameras-to-boost-security-in-odisha-jails/3272432

Surya Dei, a 55-year-old widow from Kalahandi district, has been struggling to receive her widow pension for over two years after her husband's death. Despite visiting the block and panchayat offices multiple times with valid documents, she faces administrative apathy. The Sarpanch claims the application was rejected, while official portals show no record of an online application. Her family survives on the meager earnings of her daughter working as a laborer in Bangalore. Local social security officials have promised an investigation. https://www.dharitri.com/widow-pension-denied-even-after-2-years-of-husbands-death-thuamul-rampur/