Odisha Plans AI-Powered Examination System and State Ranking Framework for Universities

Odisha Plans AI-Powered Examination System and State Ranking Framework for Universities

In a major push towards modernising higher education, the Odisha government is planning to introduce an AI-integrated examination and evaluation system to enhance transparency, security and efficiency in academic assessments.

The proposal was discussed during the two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference held at Lok Bhavan, which was inaugurated by Hari Babu Kambhampati in the presence of Mohan Charan Majhi.

Officials from the Higher Education Department said the initiative aims to address concerns over examination security, particularly in light of recent question paper leak incidents reported in various national-level examinations. The proposed system will utilise artificial intelligence to streamline question paper management, monitor examinations and automate the evaluation of answer scripts, thereby reducing human intervention and improving accountability.

As part of a broader higher education reform agenda, the state also plans to introduce the Odisha Institutional Ranking Framework (OIRF), a state-level ranking system designed to encourage quality, competitiveness and excellence among colleges and universities.

The Higher Education Department has set an ambitious goal of ensuring accreditation for 50 per cent of higher education institutions by 2029. The initiative will focus on improving institutional performance in assessments conducted by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

The roadmap further includes transforming five existing universities into multidisciplinary institutions, establishing digital universities at Ravenshaw University and Odisha State Open University, and creating a dedicated fund involving industry partners along with public and private universities to support innovation and research.

The state government is also focusing on internationalising higher education through an Edu-City masterplan while expanding green energy infrastructure and OSWAN broadband connectivity across university campuses to build a technologically advanced academic ecosystem.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati urged universities to evolve into globally competitive, socially responsible and technology-driven institutions while staying rooted in Indian values and traditions.