Bhubaneswar, Aug. 18 (UDN): The Odisha Government has launched the ‘Bidesh Sikhyabruti’ scholarship scheme to help meritorious students from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities pursue postgraduate and PhD programmes at reputed universities abroad.
Representational Image
Introduced under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY), the initiative will support 50 students every year by providing financial assistance towards tuition fees, living expenses and other costs associated with overseas education.
For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic sessions, eligible candidates can apply through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal from August 18 to August 31, 2026.
Who Can Apply?
The scheme is open exclusively to SC and ST students who are permanent residents of Odisha.
Applicants must have secured an unconditional admission offer from a foreign university or institution ranked among the top 200 in the latest available QS World University Rankings at the time of application.
The applicant’s annual gross family income must not exceed Rs 12 lakh. Income from all sources and earnings of all family members, including pensionary benefits, will be considered while determining eligibility.
Applicants must also declare that they are not regular employees of the Central or Odisha government, public sector undertakings or autonomous bodies.
Academic and Age Criteria
For postgraduate programmes, applicants must have secured at least 65 per cent marks in the relevant bachelor’s degree and must be 35 years of age or below.
For PhD programmes, candidates must have obtained at least 65 per cent marks in the relevant master’s degree and must be 40 years of age or below.
The scholarship can be availed only once in a student’s lifetime, either for a postgraduate or doctoral programme.
Up to Rs 25 Lakh Assistance Per Year
Under the scheme, selected students can receive financial assistance of up to approximately Rs 25 lakh per year.
The assistance includes:
Up to Rs 15 lakh towards tuition fees, subject to actual expenditure
Rs 7 lakh towards living expenses
Rs 3 lakh towards miscellaneous expenses, including travel and insurance
The total financial assistance will be capped at Rs 50 lakh per student per course.
For postgraduate programmes, assistance may be provided for one or two years depending on the course duration. PhD scholars can receive support for a maximum of two years. The guidelines do not provide for an extension beyond the prescribed period.
University Ranking to Drive Selection
Selection will primarily depend on the QS ranking of the foreign institution where the candidate has secured admission.
A merit list will be prepared based on the latest available rankings, with preference given to students admitted to higher-ranked institutions.
In case of a tie, candidates’ marks or grades in the previous qualifying examination will be considered. Family income will subsequently be used as a criterion, with preference given to applicants from lower-income households.
The Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) will serve as the nodal agency for the selection process.
A Selection-cum-Screening Committee will scrutinise applications, verify academic and admission documents, assess the ranking and accreditation of foreign institutions and conduct personal interviews before recommending candidates for final selection.
Restrictions on Other Financial Assistance
Beneficiaries will not be permitted to receive another scholarship or financial assistance for the same course and purpose from the government, PSU, university, college or any other organisation.
If a student subsequently receives a fellowship, grant, stipend, fee waiver or similar financial assistance for the same purpose, the government may cancel the scholarship.
Students who are already studying abroad or have completed overseas studies using another scholarship or their own funds will also not be eligible under the scheme.
The guidelines further restrict beneficiaries from changing their approved course of study except under circumstances specifically permitted under the scheme.
One-Year Deferral Allowed
Selected candidates may receive provisional scholarship award letters and can be granted a maximum one-year deferral from the date of issue of the award letter to join the foreign institution.
Failure to join within the permitted period may result in cancellation of the scholarship.
Recipients will also be required to submit academic progress reports and other documents as prescribed by the authorities. Non-compliance with monitoring requirements could lead to recovery of the scholarship amount along with applicable interest and other action under the guidelines.
Opportunity for Global Education
The Bidesh Sikhyabruti scheme is expected to create a new pathway for talented SC and ST students from Odisha who aspire to pursue advanced education at leading international institutions but face financial constraints.
By covering a substantial portion of tuition, living and other overseas education expenses, the state government aims to expand access to globally recognised postgraduate and doctoral programmes and encourage the development of researchers, academicians and skilled professionals from disadvantaged communities.
Application window: August 18–31, 2026
Eligible categories: SC and ST students
Annual beneficiaries: 50
Maximum assistance: Up to Rs 25 lakh per year, subject to scheme limits