Odisha Higher Education Department opens Bidesh Sikhyabruti applications on the Odisha Scholarship Portal for SC and ST students pursuing foreign studies
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha Higher Education Department has notified the application process for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students seeking to pursue postgraduate and PhD programmes at leading foreign universities under the state’s new ‘Bidesh Sikhyabruti’ scheme.
The scheme will provide scholarships to 50 SC and ST students for higher studies at institutions ranked among the top 200 universities in the latest available QS World University Rankings at the time of application.
Students with an annual family income of up to Rs 12 lakh will be eligible to apply. The scheme helps eligible students pursue postgraduate or doctoral studies at reputable institutions abroad by providing comprehensive financial assistance.
Applications for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years can be submitted through the Odisha Scholarship Portal from August 18 to 31.
According to the guidelines, selected students will receive financial support to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other incidental costs related to their studies. However, a student can avail of the scholarship only once, either for a postgraduate or PhD programme.
Of the 50 scholarships, 10 have been earmarked for engineering and other technical courses, while another 10 will be available for medical, agriculture, architecture and other professional courses. The remaining 30 scholarships will cover courses administered by the Higher Education Department.
In the engineering and technical category, four scholarships will be available for postgraduate courses and six for PhD programmes. The same four-six distribution will apply to the 10 scholarships earmarked for medical, agriculture, architecture and other professional courses.
Of the 30 scholarships under the Higher Education Department, 10 will be allocated for postgraduate studies and 20 for PhD programmes. Overall, 30 scholarships will be available for general studies and 20 for technical and professional studies.
The department had earlier notified the detailed guidelines for the Bidesh Sikhyabruti scheme, which is aimed at expanding opportunities for SC and ST students to access advanced higher education at globally reputed institutions.
The introduction of the scheme marks an effort by the state government to provide targeted financial assistance to students from disadvantaged communities aspiring to pursue advanced studies overseas.