Odisha Free Smartphone Yojana - Free Mobile Phone Distribution Scheme

Odisha Free Smartphone Yojana was announced by then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on 17 November 2020. He interacted with the people of Swabhiman Anchal that day through video conferencing and launched the free mobile phone distribution scheme.

Note: This was a one time scheme for a specific region and it is now closed. Odisha government has not shared any 2026 update on fresh mobile phone distribution under this scheme, and there is no active portal for new applications.

Odisha Free Smartphone Yojana

Naveen Patnaik had announced that the state government would provide free smart mobile phones to all families in Swabhiman Anchal. He had said he was happy to start the distribution of mobile phones in the area.

Free Mobile Phone Distribution Scheme in Odisha

This Odisha Free Smartphone Yojana had helped people of the area connect to other areas and also helped children study online. Earlier in July 2018, CM had visited Swabhiman Anchal, inaugurated the Gurpriya Bridge and announced a special package of Rs 100 crore under the SETU scheme to lead the development work of the region.

Afterwards, the state government had increased the amount of the special package to Rs. 215 crore. This package focused on education, livelihoods, communications, drinking water, irrigation, housing, banking and other sectors in the district. CM had said steps were taken for promotion of turmeric cultivation, processing and branding in the area to grow good quality turmeric.

Earlier Free Smartphone Yojana 2018 in Odisha for Women Farmers

Odisha government had launched Free Smartphone Yojana 2018 to provide internet enabled mobile phones to women farmers. This scheme had enabled small and marginal women farmers to have access to market prices, weather based info and new agricultural products. To avail free of cost smartphones, women had to make online registration during the Kharif Season.

The state government had launched this scheme in phases with disbursal of Android phones to around 70% of women farmers in the 1st phase. Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro had announced this scheme for women farmers as the previous smartphone scheme was applicable only for male farmers.

This scheme had a major impact on agricultural production in Odisha. The main aim was doubling farmers income by 2022.

Odisha Free Smartphone Yojana 2018 Features

In all the previous free smartphone schemes in Odisha, only male farmers were entitled to get the benefits. Later, female farmers were also allowed to get Android based mobile phones with 4G Internet Connectivity. Main features of this Odisha free smartphone yojana were as follows:-

• All the women farmers got free smartphones to boost their agricultural production.
• With these smartphones, women empowerment was the main focus. This scheme enabled women farmers to receive tips from the agricultural department.
• Women farmers used these smartphones to get better crop productivity and higher produce depending on the nature of soil and climatic conditions.
• These free mobile phones had enabled small and marginal farmers to access up to date market related information. Women were able to gather info on current prices of agricultural commodities in different markets. They were also able to use message service to know the value of their own crop produce.
• All the weather based information was visible on their mobile phones and alerts facility was also provided.
• Farmers were also able to gather info on various Odisha Government Schemes running for the welfare of farmers.

The total number of women farmers in the state was low, so the state government had focused on effective implementation.

Free Smartphone Yojana 2018 Application Form

Just like Free Smartphone Yojana in other states, farmers had to make online registration to get an android based phone. These mobile phones also gave info regarding crop loan schemes of Odisha government.

For this reason, the co-operation department had opened a dedicated portal. All the women farmers were required to fill and submit the completed application form on this portal. This portal is no longer active for new applications.

Source / Reference Link: https://kalingatv.com/state/odisha-cm-naveen-patnaik-interacts-with-people-of-swabhiman-anchal-promises-free-smartphones/