The Government of Odisha has unveiled a transformative initiative under the Higher Education Department titled “Bidesh Sikhyabruti”, aimed at empowering Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students to pursue postgraduate and PhD studies in globally acclaimed institutions.
Introduced under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY), the scheme seeks to promote equitable access to international education by providing financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh per student. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and insurance costs for students admitted to the top 200 QS‑ranked foreign universities.
Each year, 50 students will be selected—30 for general studies and 20 for technical or professional courses. Applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha, belong to SC/ST categories, and have a family income below Rs 12 lakh per annum.
The scheme’s objectives include promoting higher education abroad, bridging educational inequity, and nurturing globally competent leaders from marginalised communities. Applications for the academic years 2025‑26 and 2026‑27 can be submitted online via the OSS Portal (https://scholarship.odisha.gov.in) between August 18 and August 31, 2026.
The Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) will oversee the selection process, ensuring transparency and merit‑based evaluation. Selected candidates will receive comprehensive support for up to two years, with annual progress reviews and monitoring by the Higher Education Department.
