Odisha Bandh Today Time: Schools, colleges, offices, banks, what will remain closed? What parents, students and office-goers should know

A statewide Odisha Bandh is being observed today after the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) called for a shutdown over alleged mismanagement in paddy procurement. The bandh has political backing from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee. As the shutdown unfolds across the state, parents, students and office-goers are trying to figure out what will remain closed and how daily life may be affected.

Odisha Bandh Timings

The Odisha Bandh is being observed today from 6 am to 2 pm, following a call given by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS). During this eight-hour period, protests, sit-ins and demonstrations are expected across several parts of the state, which may disrupt transport services, business activity and the functioning of offices and institutions.

Also Read: Check what’s open and closed across the state


Essential services such as hospitals, ambulances and pharmacies have been exempted from the bandh, while normalcy is expected to gradually return after 2 pm.

“Educational institutions, transport service, offices and others will remain closed till 2 pm. We appeal to people to support the cause of farmers and make the bandh a success,” NNKS convenor Akshay Kumar said.

He added that essential services such as hospitals, ambulances and pharmacies have been exempted from the bandh.

Odisha Bandh: Are school, colleges closed?

As of now, there is no official announcement from the Odisha government on the closure of schools or colleges due to the bandh. Parents are advised to check directly with school and college authorities in the morning, as individual institutions, especially private ones, may decide to suspend classes or switch to online mode based on local conditions.

Typically, during statewide strikes, disruptions in transport and public movement prompt some educational institutions to declare a holiday or adjust schedules.

Odisha Bandh Today: What parents, students and office goes should keep in mind

Students who are heading to schools, colleges or offices today are advised to leave well before reporting time. Public transport services may face disruptions, and normal travel routes could be affected due to protests and road blockades in some areas.

Odisha bandh: What may remain closed

The day-long bandh is expected to witness sit-ins, demonstrations and protest rallies across Odisha. Several business establishments, markets, petrol pumps, banks, courts, and central and state government offices may remain shut or function partially. Vehicular movement and rail services may also face interruptions at select locations.

Odisha govt's directives on bandh

In view of the bandh call, the Odisha government has issued precautionary directives to all district collectors and magistrates. A letter from R.K. Sharma, Special Secretary of the Home Department, warned that protesters may force the closure of shops and markets, disrupt government offices and court proceedings, shut down fuel stations, and interfere with banking operations. The advisory also flagged possible disruptions to road and rail transport.

Protests are expected outside district collectors’ offices, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), Tata Power offices, and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) across the state. Incidents such as dumping of paddy sacks during protests are also anticipated.

Government offices may function with reduced staff

Government offices across Odisha may see reduced attendance as many employees could face difficulty commuting. Services related to routine administrative work, document processing and public grievance redressal may be delayed for the day.

Odisha Bandh Reason

The NKS has called the bandh demanding Rs 800 per quintal as input assistance for farmers at state-run mandis and the removal of middlemen and millers from the paddy procurement system.

The organisation is also protesting against the installation of electricity smart meters, penalties imposed on vehicle owners under pollution certificate enforcement, and the proposed replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, with the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevija Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).