Odisha Videsh Siksha Bruti Scholarship 2026: Fully Funded Opportunities to Study Abroad

The Odisha Videsh Siksha Bruti Scholarship 2026 is a flagship initiative by the Odisha Government to enable meritorious SC and ST students to pursue postgraduate (PG) and PhD programs at world-class universities. With financial support of up to ₹25 lakh per year, this scheme covers tuition fees, living expenses, and visa costs, breaking financial barriers that prevent talented students from accessing global education.

About the Scholarship

Launched on November 26, 2025, by Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, this scholarship aims to create equal opportunities for students from reserved categories. Fifty students will be selected annually based on merit, allowing them to gain exposure to top 200 QS-ranked universities worldwide. This initiative not only provides financial aid but also equips Odisha’s brightest minds to acquire skills abroad and contribute to the state’s development.

Eligibility

Applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha and belong to the SC or ST category. They should have a confirmed admission offer in a PG or PhD program at a top 200 QS-ranked university. The scheme is open to students of any age, including fresh graduates and mid-career professionals, provided their family’s annual income does not exceed ₹12 lakh.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship offers comprehensive support to cover major educational expenses abroad. Recipients will receive financial assistance for tuition, accommodation, living costs, and visa fees. By providing substantial funding, the program ensures that financial constraints do not prevent talented students from pursuing advanced studies internationally.

Selection Process

Selection is purely merit-based and conducted twice a year, during the July–August and December–January cycles. The Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) evaluates applications, ensuring that the most deserving candidates are selected. The scholarship emphasizes equitable access, focusing on students from underprivileged households who demonstrate academic excellence and potential for long-term impact.

Fields of Study

The scholarship allocates slots across technical, medical, and higher education fields to ensure balanced development:

• Technical education: 10 slots (4 PG, 6 PhD)
• Medical, architecture, and other technical streams: 10 slots (4 PG, 6 PhD)
• Arts, sciences, management, and humanities: 30 slots (10 PG, 20 PhD)

This allocation ensures both immediate employability and long-term research contributions, with PhD candidates receiving the largest share to foster innovation and knowledge creation.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit clear scans of:

• SC/ST caste certificate
• Income certificate (family annual income below ₹12 lakh)
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Admission proof from the foreign university
• Passport and visa documents (if available)
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Bank details for direct benefit transfer (DBT)

Application Procedure

The application process is conducted entirely online via the official scholarship portal. Students need to register using Aadhaar and mobile OTP verification, complete their personal, academic, and admission details, and upload the required documents in JPG or PDF format. After submission, applicants can track their application status and scholarship payment directly through the portal.

Impact and Significance

The Odisha Videsh Siksha Bruti Scholarship is a transformative program for students from reserved communities. By supporting international education, it empowers individuals to acquire advanced skills and knowledge, which can be applied to Odisha’s socio-economic development. The scheme not only nurtures individual potential but also strengthens the state’s future workforce in technology, medicine, sciences, and humanities.

Important Links

• Official Scholarship Portal: https://scholarship.odisha.gov.in
• Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC): https://oshec.nic.in