Odisha Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme

Odisha Videsh Shiksha Bruthi Scheme is an overseas scholarship programme launched by the Government of Odisha to help meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students pursue higher education at reputed foreign universities. Under this scheme, eligible students can receive financial assistance of up to Rs. 25 lakh per year for Postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D. courses in universities ranked among the Top 200 QS World University Rankings. Read the article below to know about eligibility, benefits, application process, required documents, and selection criteria.

Introduction of Odisha Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme: A Brief Insight

Studying at a globally reputed university is a dream for many students, but the high cost of tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and other academic charges often makes overseas education unaffordable for deserving families. To ensure that talented students from disadvantaged communities do not miss international learning opportunities due to financial constraints, the Government of Odisha has introduced the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme.

The scheme has been launched by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha under the umbrella of the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY). It is a dedicated overseas scholarship programme designed exclusively for students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities of Odisha.

The primary objective of the scheme is to help meritorious SC and ST students pursue Postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D. programmes in internationally recognised universities and institutions. Through this initiative, the State Government aims to create a new generation of globally skilled professionals, researchers, academicians, and future leaders from Odisha.

Under Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme of the Odisha Government, eligible students who secure admission in a Top 200 QS World University Ranked Institution can receive scholarship support of up to Rs. 25 lakh per year. The financial assistance covers major educational expenses such as tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, insurance charges, visa-related expenses, and other approved academic costs.

The Government has fixed an annual intake of 50 students under the scheme. The scholarship is available only once in a lifetime and can be availed either for a PG programme or a Ph.D. programme. Financial assistance is generally provided for the actual duration of the course, subject to the limits prescribed in the scheme guidelines.

To become eligible, applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha, belong to the SC or ST category, have secured at least 65% marks in the qualifying examination, possess an unconditional admission offer from a Top 200 QS-ranked foreign university, and have a family income not exceeding Rs. 12 lakh per annum.

Applications are accepted online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal and the last date to apply is 31st oof August 2026. As per the official guidelines, the application window is generally opened twice every academic year, usually during July-August and December-January. Selection is carried out on the basis of university ranking, academic performance, and other criteria prescribed by the Higher Education Department.

Students who are looking for scholarship opportunities within Odisha can also explore the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi Scheme, which supports educational advancement through financial assistance and academic support initiatives. Beneficiaries may also check other welfare programmes available on our Odisha Government Schemes page.

Available Seats under Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme

Odisha Government’s Higher Education Department will select 50 units every year. The allotment of seats as per the educational course of the student is mentioned below :-

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Selected students under the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme receive the following benefits from the Government of Odisha:

• Financial assistance for pursuing Postgraduate (PG) or Ph.D. studies abroad.
• Scholarship support of up to Rs. 25 lakh per year.
• Coverage of tuition fees subject to the prescribed ceiling and actual expenses.
• Financial support for living expenses during the course period.
• Assistance towards travel, visa, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses.
• Maximum scholarship support of up to Rs. 50 lakh per student per course.
• Benefit available for studies in Top 200 QS-ranked foreign universities.
• Up to 50 students are selected every year under the scheme.
• Financial assistance available for a maximum of 2 years as per course duration and scheme guidelines.

Scholarship Amount and Financial Assistance Structure

Selected students under the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme receive comprehensive financial support to cover major expenses associated with studying abroad. The scholarship provides assistance for tuition fees, living expenses, travel, visa, insurance, and other related costs, subject to the limits prescribed by the Government of Odisha.

Note: Financial assistance for PG courses is provided according to the course duration (up to 2 years), while Ph.D. scholars can receive support for a maximum of 2 years.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Students must satisfy the following eligibility conditions to receive financial assistance under the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme:

• Must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
• Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
• Must have secured a minimum of 65% marks in the last qualifying examination.
• Must have received an unconditional admission offer for a Postgraduate (PG) or Ph.D. programme from an eligible foreign university.
• The foreign university or institution must be ranked within the Top 200 of the latest QS World University Rankings.
• Annual gross family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 12 lakh.
• Must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance for the same course.
• Must not be a regular employee of any Central Government, State Government, PSU, or Autonomous Body.
• The scholarship can be availed only once in a lifetime, either for a PG course or a Ph.D. programme.

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants must upload the following documents while submitting the online application for the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme:

• Aadhaar Card of the student
• Residence Certificate (Domicile Certificate) of Odisha
• Caste Certificate (SC/ST)
• Annual Family Income Certificate
• 10th Board Certificate
• Qualifying Degree / Provisional Certificate
• Marksheet of the last qualifying examination
• Valid admission-related documents from the foreign university (Application, Offer Letter, Registration, or Admission Letter)
• Copy of Passport
• Copy of VISA (if available)
• Recent Passport-Size Photograph
• Scanned Signature of the applicant
• Active Mobile Number and Email ID
• Bank Account Details with IFSC Code

Note: Selected candidates may be required to submit additional documents, including original certificates for verification, university fee waiver documents (if any), undertaking forms, and other documents prescribed by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

The Government of Odisha accepts applications for the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. Eligible students who have secured admission in a Top 200 QS-ranked foreign university can submit their application online by following the process given below:

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Before starting the application process, ensure that you are a permanent resident of Odisha, belong to the SC or ST category, have secured at least 65% marks in the qualifying examination, possess an admission offer from a Top 200 QS-ranked foreign university, and have an annual family income of not more than Rs. 12 lakh.

Step 2: Keep All Required Documents Ready

Arrange scanned copies of your Aadhaar Card, caste certificate, income certificate, residence certificate, passport, academic certificates, marksheets, admission offer letter, photograph, signature, and other required documents before beginning the online application.

Step 3: Visit the Odisha State Scholarship Portal

Open the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in. New applicants should complete the registration process, while existing users can log in using their credentials.

Step 4: Select Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship

After logging in, choose the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship from the list of available scholarship schemes and proceed to the online application form.

Step 5: Fill the Online Application Form

Enter all required details carefully, including personal information, category details, family income, academic qualifications, foreign university details, course information, passport details, and contact information.

Step 6: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload all prescribed documents in the specified format and file size. Ensure that the uploaded documents are clear, valid, and match the information entered in the application form.

Step 7: Review and Submit the Application

Verify all details before final submission. Once satisfied, submit the application form online and save the acknowledgement number or application reference number for future use.

Step 8: Scrutiny and Selection Process

The Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) and the Selection-cum-Screening Committee scrutinise applications, verify documents, assess university rankings, and conduct the selection process as per the scheme guidelines.

Step 9: Check Merit List and Scholarship Status

The list of selected, waiting, and rejected candidates is published on the scholarship portal. Applicants may also receive updates through their registered email ID and mobile number.

Step 10: Submit Additional Documents After Selection

Selected candidates may be required to submit original documents for verification, passport and visa details, university confirmation documents, undertakings, and any other documents requested by the Higher Education Department before the scholarship amount is released.

Important: As per the official guidelines, the scholarship portal is generally opened twice every academic year – first during July-August and again during December-January. Applicants should regularly check the official scholarship portal for the latest notification, application schedule, and detailed instructions.

Important Conditions Students Must Know

• The scholarship is available only once in a lifetime, either for a Postgraduate course or a Ph.D. programme.
• The applicant must have secured admission in a foreign university ranked among the Top 200 institutions in the latest QS World University Rankings.
• Students receiving any other scholarship, fellowship, grant, fee waiver, or financial assistance for the same course are not eligible to receive benefits under this scheme.
• Selected students must regularly submit academic progress reports and other documents as required by the Higher Education Department.
• If any information provided by the applicant is found to be false or misleading, the scholarship may be cancelled and the amount already released can be recovered.
• Students who have already completed higher education abroad or are studying abroad through another funding source are not eligible under this scheme.

Important Links Available

• Apply Online for Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship
• Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha
• Odisha State Scholarship Portal
• Odisha Bidesh Shikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme Guidelines

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Department: Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha
• Nodal Agency: Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC)
• Official Website: dhe.odisha.gov.in
• Scholarship Portal: scholarship.odisha.gov.in
• Helpdesk & Contact Details: View Official Contact Information
• Email Support: Applicants may contact the Higher Education Department through the official contact details available on the department portal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme?

Ans. Bidesh Sikhyabruti is a scholarship scheme launched by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, to provide financial assistance to eligible SC and ST students for pursuing Postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D. studies in reputed foreign universities.

Q. Who can apply for the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship?

Ans. Permanent residents of Odisha belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category who have secured admission in a Top 200 QS-ranked foreign university can apply, subject to fulfillment of all eligibility conditions.

Q. What is the maximum scholarship amount available under the scheme?

Ans. Selected students can receive financial assistance of up to Rs. 25 lakh per year, subject to the limits prescribed under the scheme guidelines.

Q. What expenses are covered under the scholarship?

Ans. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, visa charges, insurance expenses, and other approved miscellaneous expenses.

Q. What is the family income limit for applying?

Ans. The annual gross family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 12 lakh.

Q. What minimum marks are required to become eligible?

Ans. Applicants must have secured at least 65% marks in the relevant qualifying examination.

Q. Which foreign universities are eligible under the scheme?

Ans. The applicant must have secured admission in a university or institution ranked within the Top 200 of the latest QS World University Rankings.

Q. How many students are selected every year?

Ans. Up to 50 students are selected annually under the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme.

Q. Can a student receive another scholarship along with Bidesh Sikhyabruti?

Ans. No. Students receiving financial assistance or scholarship for the same course from any other Government, PSU, university, or organisation are not eligible under this scheme.

Q. How can I apply for the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship?

Ans. Applications must be submitted online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in.

Q. How often are applications invited under the scheme?

Ans. As per the official guidelines, applications are generally invited twice every academic year, usually during July-August and December-January.

Q. What is the maximum age limit for applicants?

Ans. The maximum age limit is 35 years for PG courses and 40 years for Ph.D. programmes.

Q. Can a student avail of this scholarship more than once?

Ans. No. A student can avail the benefit of Bidesh Sikhyabruti only once in a lifetime, either for a PG course or for a Ph.D. programme.

Q. What happens if a selected student receives another scholarship later?

Ans. The scholarship may be cancelled, and the Government of Odisha can take action as per the scheme guidelines if the beneficiary receives another scholarship for the same purpose.

Q. Where can applicants get help regarding the scheme?

Ans. Applicants can contact the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, or visit the official websites dhe.odisha.gov.in and scholarship.odisha.gov.in for assistance.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.