SAMS Odisha +3 Admission 2026: Degree CAF and Merit Lists
Passed +2 and planning a degree? This guide covers the 2026 SAMS +3 admission: CAF dates, courses, NEP major and minor choices, the free education decision, merit list rounds and the official first-round cut-offs.
Degree (+3) admission to most government, aided and many self-financing colleges in Odisha runs through SAMS. The Higher Education Department (DHE) manages the process. You fill one CAF, choose subjects and colleges, and seats are allotted in rounds.
The 2026 cycle had two big changes: NEP 2020 subject combinations and a free education decision for Regular Mode courses. This independent guide uses official DHE and I&PR documents where we have them and labels news facts as reported. Confirm everything on samsodisha.gov.in. CHSE results came out on 20 May 2026 (as reported); see our CHSE 12th result guide.
Eligibility and courses
Careers360 (updated 1 October 2026) reports that you need a Class 12 pass from a recognised board, and that a diploma after Class 10 is accepted. It also mentions "at least 50% marks". We could not confirm that 50% figure on an official page, so check the official prospectus or your chosen college.
Courses listed in the official I&PR press note of 22 June 2026: BA, BSc, BCom, Shastri (Sanskrit), Law (5-year integrated BA LL.B. under Madhusudan Law University) and self-financing courses. Collegedunia (30 May 2026) also reported Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP).
Under NEP 2020, the official press note of 26 May 2026 says you can choose Single Major with Two Minors, Double Major, or Three Minors in the CAF. If you want to become a teacher, the 4-year ITEP is a separate SAMS form, covered on our B.Ed admission page.
Key dates for +3 admission 2026
| Step | 2026 date | Label and source |
|---|---|---|
| CAF submission | 27 May 2026 (from 4 pm) to 10 June 2026 | Official, HE press note 26 May 2026 |
| First merit list | Planned 17 June; released 22 June 2026 | Official press notes, 26 May and 22 June 2026 |
| Reporting (Freeze students) | 23 to 25 June 2026 | Official, press note 22 June 2026 |
| Re-choice filling | 8 July (2 pm) to 12 July 2026 | Official, DHE letter July 2026 |
| 2nd round allotment | 20 July 2026 | Official, DHE letter |
| 3rd and final round | 29 July 2026 | Official, DHE letter |
| Waitlist merit list | 7 August 2026; final admission 10 to 11 August | Official, DHE letter |
| Phase II CAF | 10 to 20 September 2026 | As reported, Careers360 |
| Phase II spot list | 1 October 2026; reporting 3 to 7 October | As reported, Careers360 |
Sources conflict on the class start date. The May press note targeted classes from 9 July 2026. The July DHE letter lists 27 July 2026, which appears out of sequence in the scanned letter. Ask your college for the actual date. Round details are on our merit list page.
ଓଡ଼ିଆରେ ସାରାଂଶ
ଏହା ଏକ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ଗାଇଡ୍, ସରକାରୀ ସାଇଟ୍ ନୁହେଁ। ସରକାରୀ ପ୍ରେସ୍ ନୋଟ୍ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ୨୦୨୬ରେ ଯୁକ୍ତ ତିନି (+3) CAF ୨୭ ମେ ରୁ ୧୦ ଜୁନ୍ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଥିଲା। ପ୍ରଥମ ମେଧା ତାଲିକା ୧୭ ଜୁନ୍ ପାଇଁ ଯୋଜନା ଥିଲା, କିନ୍ତୁ ୨୨ ଜୁନ୍ ୨୦୨୬ରେ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇଲା। NEP ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ସିଙ୍ଗଲ୍ ମେଜର୍ ସହ ଦୁଇଟି ମାଇନର୍, ଡବଲ୍ ମେଜର୍ କିମ୍ବା ତିନୋଟି ମାଇନର୍ ବାଛିହେବ। ୨୦୨୬-୨୭ ରୁ SAMS ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ରେଗୁଲାର୍ ମୋଡ୍ UG ଓ PG ପାଠ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ମାଗଣା ଶିକ୍ଷା ମିଳିବ। ସରକାରୀ FAQ ରେ CAF ଫି ସାଧାରଣ ପାଇଁ ୨୭୫ ଟଙ୍କା ଓ SC/ST ପାଇଁ ୧୭୫ ଟଙ୍କା, କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହା ୨୦୨୩ର ତଥ୍ୟ। ସିଟ୍ ମିଳିଲେ Freeze, Slide କିମ୍ବା Float ବାଛନ୍ତୁ। ଖବର ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟ CAF ୧୦ ରୁ ୨୦ ସେପ୍ଟେମ୍ବର ଥିଲା। ସବୁ ତଥ୍ୟ samsodisha.gov.in ରେ ଯାଞ୍ଚ କରନ୍ତୁ।
CAF fee and options
The official Degree FAQ lists the CAF fee as Rs 275 for General and Rs 175 for SC/ST, with PwD and Transgender applicants exempt. That FAQ text refers to "SAMS UG Admission 2023". We did not see an official 2026 fee, so pay only what the portal shows.
Options: the older (2023) FAQ asked for a minimum of five options, each being College plus Stream plus Honours. For the 2026 re-choice filling, the DHE letter said "at least one choice" and any number of choices.
Free education from 2026-27
A DHE letter dated 07.07.2026 (as read from the official PDF) says students admitted to Regular Mode UG and PG courses under SAMS get free education from 2026-27. Choice filling was reopened with three categories:
- Regular Mode: no admission fee
- Self-Financing Mode: fee payable
- Both
The letter says first-round admission fees already paid by Regular Mode students will be refunded. Careers360 (2 July 2026) reported that the Odisha Cabinet approved the "Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi" KG to PG free education scheme on 1 July 2026, covering regular courses in government and aided institutions and state public universities, but not self-financing, unaided, PPP or professional and technical courses.
How to apply for +3 step by step
- Type samsodisha.gov.in yourself and look for Degree (+3).
- Register with your mobile number and OTP. Careers360 reports the Student Login asks for year, mobile number, password and captcha. Our login guide covers common problems.
- Fill the CAF with your +2 marks exactly as on the marksheet.
- Choose your major and minor combination and add colleges in order of preference.
- Pay the fee shown on the portal, if any, and save the CAF print.
- After each allotment, choose Freeze, Slide or Float before the deadline.
- Report to the college with original documents on the dates shown.
If a menu name looks different, look for similar words or call the official helpline 155335 or toll-free 1800-345-6770.
2026 first-round cut-offs (official)
The I&PR press note of 22 June 2026 listed these highest first-round cut-offs:
| Subject | Cut-off | College |
|---|---|---|
| Arts (Political Science) | 94.50% | Ravenshaw University |
| Physics | 96.50% | Ravenshaw University |
| Zoology | 94.83% | Ravenshaw University |
| Commerce | 89.17% | Ravenshaw University |
| Shastri | 67.57% | Brajakishore Sanskrit Degree College, Garhbishnupur |
| Computer Science (self-financing) | 92% | BJB Autonomous College |
| Integrated BA LL.B. | 89.40% | Madhusudan Law University |
These are the highest, not typical, cut-offs. More on how cut-offs work is on our cut-off guide.
Stay safe
This guide is independent and is not connected to SAMS, the Higher Education Department or any government office. We never ask for your CAF number, roll number, login ID, password, OTP, Aadhaar or bank details, so please do not send them to us.
- Fill the CAF yourself on the official portal and pay only the official fee shown there, if any.
- Never share your OTP, Aadhaar or bank details with unknown callers, even if they say they are from SAMS or a college.
- Beware of fake websites, fake result or merit list links, and agents who promise a seat for money. Seats are given only through the official selection rounds.
- Open the portal by typing samsodisha.gov.in yourself instead of clicking forwarded links.
Frequently asked questions
When did SAMS Odisha +3 admission 2026 start?
The official Higher Education Department press note of 26 May 2026 said the CAF would be available from 4 pm on 27 May 2026, with submission until 10 June 2026. The first merit list was planned for 17 June but was released on 22 June 2026, according to the official press note of that date.
What is the SAMS +3 CAF fee for 2026?
We did not find an official 2026 fee. The official Degree FAQ, whose text refers to the 2023 admission, lists Rs 275 for General and Rs 175 for SC/ST, with PwD and Transgender applicants exempt. Pay only the amount the official portal shows when you submit, and never pay through an agent.
Is +3 education free in Odisha from 2026?
A DHE letter dated 07.07.2026 says students admitted to Regular Mode UG and PG courses under SAMS get free education from 2026-27, and first-round fees paid by Regular Mode students will be refunded. Self-financing seats still charge fees. Ask your college how the refund works for you.
What are the SAMS +3 cut off marks for 2026?
The official I&PR press note of 22 June 2026 gave the highest first-round cut-offs: Physics 96.50%, Zoology 94.83%, Political Science 94.50% and Commerce 89.17%, all at Ravenshaw University. Cut-offs at most colleges are lower and fall in later rounds. Check college-wise lists on the official portal.
Is there a +3 second phase or spot admission in 2026?
Yes, as reported by Careers360 (updated 1 October 2026). Phase II had a CAF from 10 to 20 September, a first round on 23 September, a spot merit list on 1 October and reporting from 3 to 7 October 2026. Watch the official portal for any further notice.
What does Freeze, Slide and Float mean for +3?
The official Degree FAQ explains these choices after allotment. Freeze accepts the seat. Slide keeps it but asks for a higher choice in the same college. Float keeps it but asks for any higher choice in later rounds. Alter lets you change Slide or Float to a firmer choice, except in the last round.
Sources: HE press note, 26 May 2026 · I&PR press note, 22 Jun 2026 · DHE letter, July 2026 · SAMS Degree FAQ · Careers360, +3 admissions · Careers360, Gyanodaya scheme, 2 Jul 2026. Checked 16 October 2026. Dates change every year: always confirm on the official portal.