Odisha reports 24 pregnancies in state-run school hostels

Official data presented to the Odisha legislative assembly reveals that 24 female students living in state-run residential school hostels were found to be pregnant over two academic sessions. The figures show an increase from nine cases in the 2024–25 academic year to 15 cases in 2025–26.

Minister for School and Mass Education Nityananda Gond reported that the incidents were primarily concentrated in southern and tribal-dominated regions, with Kandhamal district recording the highest number of cases. In response to these occurrences, law enforcement agencies have registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against 13 individuals, resulting in nine arrests to date. The minister noted that in most instances, the perpetrators had no formal employment or institutional ties to the schools.