Argus News - Videsh Siksha Bruti: Odisha Launches Scholarship For SC, ST Students To Study Abroad

Bhubaneswar, Nov 26: The Odisha government has taken a significant step toward empowering Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students with the launch of the ‘Videsh Siksha Bruti’ scholarship scheme, aimed at supporting meritorious candidates to pursue higher education abroad, officials said on Wednesday.

The initiative, formally inaugurated by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, will be implemented from the 2025–26 academic year.

ଆଜି ଉଚ୍ଚଶିକ୍ଷା ବିଭାଗ ପକ୍ଷରୁ ୩୪ଜଣଙ୍କୁ ଅନୁଦାନ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ବେସରକାରୀ ମହାବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟରେ ଅନୁକମ୍ପାମୂଳକ ନିଯୁକ୍ତି ପ୍ରଦାନ କରାଯାଇଛି । ଏଥି ସହିତ ‘ବିଦେଶ ଶିକ୍ଷା ବୃତ୍ତି‘ ଯୋଜନାର ଶୁଭାରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଛି ଯେଉଁଥିରେ ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଶିକ୍ଷାର୍ଥୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ୫୦ ଲକ୍ଷ ଟଙ୍କା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆର୍ଥିକ ସହାୟତା ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହେବ । pic.twitter.com/lsBKVnr81P — Suryabanshi Suraj (@suryabanshibjp) November 26, 2025

Scholarship for Global Education

Under the scheme, SC and ST students from families with an annual income of Rs12 lakh or below will be eligible. Applicants must secure admission to postgraduate or PhD programmes in the Top 200 QS-ranked foreign universities or institutions.

The Minister announced that applications will be invited twice a year — in July–August and December–January. Each year, 50 students will be selected for the scholarship. Of these, 10 will be from engineering and technical education, 10 from medical, agriculture, architecture and allied streams, and 30 from higher education.

Also Read: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Ignites Young Minds In Bhubaneswar

Financial Support

Each selected student will receive up to Rs25 lakh per year to cover tuition and living expenses abroad. Suraj emphasized that the scheme reflects Odisha’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring equitable access to global opportunities for marginalized communities.

Additional Announcements

Alongside the scholarship launch, the Higher Education Department issued appointment letters to 34 candidates in Group C and D posts across aided colleges under rehabilitation assistance. The recruits received their appointment letters directly from the minister.

Academic Performance Audits

The event also marked a milestone as the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) received copyright to conduct Academic Performance Audits (APA) of higher educational institutions across the state. This makes Odisha the first state in India to adopt such a system, enabling OSHEC to assess and enhance academic standards.

Minister Suraj noted that these initiatives collectively aim to strengthen Odisha’s higher education ecosystem, ensuring both inclusivity and excellence.