Bhubaneswar: In a major policy shift aimed at enhancing the quality of service delivery in child and women welfare programmes, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Odisha Child and Women Welfare Service Rules, mandating that Anganwadi workers must possess a graduate degree or its equivalent from a recognized university for selection-based appointment to the post of Junior Grade Service (Inspector).
Under the earlier framework, as per the Odisha Child and Women Welfare Service Rules, 1989, the eligibility criterion for promotion or selection to the post of Inspector only required candidates to have passed the Secondary Education Examination (HSC) conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, or an equivalent examination from a recognized board. The revised rule now sets a higher educational standard, reflecting the government’s drive to professionalize frontline welfare services.
The amendment, however, safeguards the interests of currently serving Anganwadi workers who were recruited under the previous qualification norms. Their existing service conditions will remain unaffected. For new appointments, the mandatory qualification examination for promotion will continue to be applicable in addition to the newly stipulated educational criteria.
According to officials, this decision is part of a broader push to strengthen the Women and Child Development Department, enabling it to deliver key welfare schemes more efficiently. By ensuring that personnel handling critical roles are better educated, the government aims to improve administrative capacity, policy implementation, and beneficiary outreach across Odisha.
“The move will empower Anganwadi workers to better manage welfare schemes and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic upliftment of women and children, especially in rural and tribal areas,” said a senior official following the Cabinet meeting.
