New Odisha Age

Odisha Makes 21-Day Advance Approval Mandatory for Officials’ Out-of-State Travel

Bhubaneswar, July 28: The Odisha government has issued a new directive mandating prior approval for officials planning to travel outside the state or the country while away from their headquarters. Under the revised guidelines, officials must seek permission at least 21 days in advance before undertaking personal travel outside Odisha or abroad. Exceptions to the…

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Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Union Education Minister Amid Paper Leak Row

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Council of Ministers on July 25, 2026, marking a significant political development amid months of controversy surrounding alleged examination paper leaks and widespread student protests. The paper leak allegations, which initially sparked concern among students and parents, gradually evolved into a nationwide movement demanding greater accountability…

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WHO Study Finds 1 in 5 Adolescents Spend Over Four Hours Daily on Screens

Bhubaneswar: A new study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that one in five adolescents spends more than four hours each day on mobile phones, gaming, social media and other digital activities outside of schoolwork, highlighting growing concerns over excessive screen time among children. The findings are based on the WHO’s Health Behaviour…

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Jajpur Tops Odisha in Reported Crimes Against Women; Five Districts Account for Highest Cases in 2025

Bhubaneswar: Official data presented in the Odisha Legislative Assembly has identified the five districts that recorded the highest number of reported crimes against women in 2025. According to the figures placed before the House, Jajpur topped the list, followed by Ganjam, Khordha, Mayurbhanj, and Cuttack. The data has once again drawn attention to women’s safety…

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Supreme Court Suggests Introducing Third Language from Class 6 to Ease Student Stress

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court has observed that introducing a third language from Class 6, instead of Class 9, could help reduce academic pressure on students as they approach board examinations. The remarks were made by a Bench comprising Justice B. V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan while hearing a petition concerning the establishment of Jawahar…

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CLOUD KITCHEN BOOM IN BHUBANESWAR AND CUTTACK SPARKS DEBATE OVER RESIDENTIAL SAFETY, REGULATIONS AND URBAN GROWTH

Bhubaneswar: The rapid expansion of cloud kitchens in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has created new opportunities for food entrepreneurs while also raising concerns over safety, regulation and the commercial use of residential areas. Driven by the growing popularity of app-based food delivery platforms, an increasing number of home-based and commercial cloud kitchens are now operating from…

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Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena Submits Resignation to Odisha Government

Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena has submitted his resignation to the Odisha Government, citing personal reasons. A 2013-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, Meena’s resignation is yet to be accepted by the state government. According to sources, Meena is likely to join a private company owned by a close relative…

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Proposal for National Commission for Men Reaches Parliament Through Private Member’s Bill

Bhubaneswar: A proposal to establish a National Commission for Men has reached Parliament after Ashok Kumar Mittal introduced the National Commission for Men Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The proposal cites the recent Ketan Agarwal case as a reminder that men can also become victims of crime and may require dedicated institutional support. According to…

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Cooked Food Banned on Puri’s Bada Danda Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026; Only Dry Food Distribution Allowed

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has prohibited the distribution of cooked food along Bada Danda, permitting only dry and packaged food items to be served to devotees during the festival. The decision has been taken to maintain strict sanitation, hygiene, and public health standards as…

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Odisha Mandates 500-Metre Drug-Free Zones Around Colleges

Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha has directed all colleges across the state to establish a 500-metre drug-free zone around their campuses to promote a safe, healthy and conducive academic environment for students. Issued in accordance with the guidelines of the Narco Coordination Centre, the directive aims to shield students from the influence…

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