Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government has unveiled a major new initiative to support higher education opportunities for students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The Videsh Siksha Bruti scheme, launched by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, aims to help meritorious students pursue postgraduate and doctoral programmes at top global universities. The scheme will be implemented from the 2025–26 academic session.
Described as one of Odisha’s most ambitious education reforms, the programme is designed to ensure that talented students from low-income families can access world-class academic opportunities abroad.
Eligibility and Selection Process
According to Minister Suraj, students belonging to SC and ST communities with an annual family income of Rs 12 lakh or below are eligible to apply. Applicants must also secure admission to a postgraduate or PhD programme at universities ranked within the Top 200 of the QS World University Rankings.
The scholarship will accept applications twice a year—July–August and December–January—offering flexibility for students receiving admissions across global academic cycles. Each year, 50 students will be selected across defined academic streams.
Scholarship Coverage and Benefits
Under the Videsh Siksha Bruti scheme, selected students will receive financial support of up to Rs 25 lakh per year, covering:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Research and academic costs
The 50 annual scholarships will be distributed as follows:
- Engineering & Technical: 10 (4 PG, 6 PhD)
- Medical, Agriculture, Architecture & Allied Fields: 10 (4 PG, 6 PhD)
- General Education: 30 (10 PG, 20 PhD)
The minister noted that the initiative aims to ensure equal access to global higher education for Odisha’s bright students from marginalised communities.
Additional Announcements
During the launch event, the Higher Education Department also issued appointment letters to 34 candidates recruited for Group C and D positions in aided colleges through rehabilitation assistance.
In a significant development, the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) received official copyright to conduct Academic Performance Audits (APA) of higher educational institutions. This move makes Odisha the first state in India to adopt such an academic evaluation framework.
Minister Suraj added that the APA system will enhance accountability, strengthen institutional performance, and improve the overall quality of higher education across the state.
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