Odisha govt unveils ₹25 lakh annual scholarship for SC and ST students studying abroad

The Odisha government has unveiled a new overseas scholarship program, ‘Videsh Siksha Bruti,’ to support Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies at leading global universities.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj inaugurated the scheme on Nov 26, announcing that it will take effect from the 2025–26 academic year.

“The initiative is designed to help students from low-income families realize their aspirations of studying abroad at leading universities,” Suraj said.

Students from SC and ST communities with an annual family income of ₹12 lakh or below are eligible.

Applicants must have secured admission to postgraduate or PhD programs at institutions ranked within the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings.

Applications will be accepted twice a year, in July–August and December–January, with 50 students selected annually across three broad academic categories.

Each selected student will receive financial support of up to ₹25 lakh per year, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other academic costs.

Ten scholarships will be reserved for engineering and technical streams, 10 for medical, agriculture, architecture, and related technical fields, and 30 for general higher education.

Suraj emphasized that the program aims to give Odisha’s talented students from marginalized communities equal access to world-class education.

In addition to the scholarship launch, the Higher Education Department handed out appointment letters to 34 candidates recruited for Group C and D posts in aided colleges under rehabilitation assistance.

Suraj also highlighted that the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) has received the official copyright to conduct Academic Performance Audits (APA) of higher educational institutions, making Odisha the first state in the country to implement such an evaluation system.

“The APA mechanism will help strengthen academic accountability and enhance the quality of higher education across the state,” the minister said.