Odisha Govt Approves 10-Hour Shifts and Night Shifts for Women

The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, has unveiled a sweeping set of reforms ranging from changes in labour laws to a large-scale education initiative. Approved during a Cabinet meeting on 29 September 2025, the decisions are designed to make the state more attractive for industrial investment while strengthening access to quality education across rural areas.

Labour Law Amendments to Boost Industry

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Factories Act, 1948, raising the daily limit of working hours to 10, though the weekly cap remains 48 hours. According to the government, “The State government has extended the total number of hours of work without an interval to 6 hours and increased the spread over up to 12 hours inclusive of intervals for rest.”

The overtime ceiling has been raised from 115 to 144 hours per financial quarter, with payment set at double the ordinary wage rate for additional hours worked. Women can now be engaged in factories across all types of roles, including during night shifts, provided they give written consent. 

As the Cabinet noted, “Women can be employed in all factories for all types of work. They may also be employed before 6 a.m. and beyond 7 p.m. with their written consent.” These measures, according to the government, are aimed at attracting investment, meeting peak demand in industries, and enhancing productivity.

Education Drive Through Model Schools

Alongside labour reforms, the Cabinet approved the rollout of Godabarisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (GAV) model schools across every gram panchayat. This initiative is tied closely to the Right to Education Act, 2009, the National Education Policy, 2020, and the NIPUN Odisha scheme. 

In the words of the official statement, “This initiative is in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 and the NIPUN Odisha scheme, and places a special focus on enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy skills to empower children socially and educationally.”

The first phase, spanning 2025-26 to 2027-28, will see the construction of 2,200 schools with an estimated outlay of ₹12,000 crore. These model schools are expected to expand equal access to education and promote the holistic growth of children across the state.

Read More: Odisha CM Announces 2% DA Hike for PSU Employees and Pensioners!

Conclusion

With these dual reforms, Odisha is pursuing a twofold strategy: easing labour regulations to boost economic activity while simultaneously investing heavily in education to shape future generations. 

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