24 girl students at Odisha govt residential schools became pregnant in two years, minister tells Assembly

Twenty-four girl students at Odisha government-run residential schools became pregnant while staying in hostels over the past two years, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed the state Assembly on Friday. In a written reply, Gond said nine boarders became pregnant in 2024-25, while 15 cases were reported in 2025-26. The schools are run by the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department.

Gond said the accused were mostly not associated with the schools. FIRs have been filed against 13 people, of whom nine have been arrested. Five incidents occurred in Kandhamal district, four in Koraput, three in Rayagada, and others across several districts.