Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026 is a flagship initiative by the Government of Odisha under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY). It provides full financial assistance to SC and ST students aiming to complete Postgraduate and Ph.D. degrees in top international universities.
Read Also: Odisha +2 PMST Scholarship 2026 Notification
What is Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026?
This state-funded fellowship supports meritorious students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities to study abroad. It targets international institutions ranked within the top 200 by QS World University Rankings.
Key Details of the Scheme
The program covers tuition costs, maintenance allowances, and travel expenses for selected candidates. Financial aid reaches up to ₹25 Lakhs per year per student.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship Scheme |
| Nodal Department | Higher Education Department, Govt. of Odisha |
| Target Beneficiaries | SC & ST Domiciles of Odisha |
| Courses Covered | Postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D. Courses |
| Annual Intake | 50 Students per Year |
| Maximum Financial Aid | Up to ₹50 Lakhs total (₹25 Lakhs/year) |
| Apply online Last Date | 31 August 2026 |
| Official Portal | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria for Bidesh Sikhyabruti
Candidates must meet all administrative, educational, and income requirements defined by the Odisha Higher Education Department. Ineligible applications are rejected outright during scrutiny.
- Domicile: Permanent resident of Odisha state.
- Category: Valid SC or ST category belonging to Odisha.
- University Rank: Unconditional admission offer from Top 200 QS-ranked foreign universities.
- Family Income: Annual gross family income must not exceed ₹12,00,000.
- Employment Status: Applicant must not be a regular employee of any Government or PSU body.
- Exclusivity: Must not hold any other active government, private, or institutional scholarship.
Course-Wise Allocation and Limits
The annual intake of 50 students is divided between general streams and technical or professional academic fields.
| Stream | PG Intake | Ph.D. Intake | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering & Technical | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Medical, Agri, Arch & Professional | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Higher Education Dept Courses | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Total Intake | 18 | 32 | 50 |
Age Limit and Academic Requirements
Applicants need a high academic score in their previous qualifying degree along with specific age requirements.
- Master’s Degree: Minimum 65% in relevant Bachelor's degree; Maximum age limit is 35 years. Duration of support is 1 to 2 years.
- Ph.D. Degree: Minimum 65% in relevant Master's degree; Maximum age limit is 40 years. Duration of support is up to 2 years.
Financial Assistance Breakdown
The scholarship disburses funding under three main categories directly to the awardee's registered bank account.
| Allowance Type | Max Limit Per Year | Payment Mode / Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | ₹15.00 Lakhs | Actual differential fees paid upfront or annually |
| Living Expenses | ₹7.00 Lakhs | Paid in 4 quarterly installments |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | ₹3.00 Lakhs | Airfare, VISA, insurance (₹2L in 1st yr, ₹1L in 2nd yr) |
| Total Upper Ceiling | ₹25.00 Lakhs | Maximum ₹50.00 Lakhs per course lifetime benefit |
Required Documents List
Applications require complete verification of identity, residence, socio-economic group, and academic background.
- 10th Board Certificate and qualifying degree certificates/mark sheets.
- Official Resident Certificate issued by Tahasildar or Additional Tahasildar.
- Annual Income Certificate issued by Revenue Officer.
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST) issued by competent revenue authority.
- Passport-size photograph and scanned signature.
- Unconditional Admission Letter/Offer Letter from QS Top 200 University.
- Valid identification proof.
Selection Process Overview
Applications are screened by the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) through an official committee.
- Merit list generation based on QS World University rankings of the admitting institution.
- Tie-breaking using qualifying exam marks followed by lower annual income priority.
- Scrutiny of documents and personal interviews conducted by OSHEC panel.
- Issuance of Provisional Award Letter with up to 1-year deferral permission.
Application Portal Schedule
The State Scholarship Portal accepts applications twice every academic year.
- Cycle 1: Opens around July / August.
- Cycle 2: Opens around December / January.
Important Links
Use the direct official resources below to review guidelines or complete online registration.
| Resource Link | Direct URL |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF Download | Click Here |
| Apply Online Portal | State Scholarship Portal |
| Higher Education Dept | he.odisha.gov.in |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if my foreign university is ranked 205 in QS? No, the scheme strictly mandates unconditional admission to Top 200 QS-ranked foreign institutes or universities.
Is there an option to extend fellowship financial aid beyond 2 years? No, financial support under this scheme is limited to a maximum period of 2 years with a maximum cap of ₹50 Lakhs total.
Can I take an education loan alongside this scholarship? Yes, candidates needing extra funds can apply for interest subvention on education loans under the Kalinga Sikhya Sathi Yojana (KSSY).
What happens if I receive a partial tuition waiver from the foreign university? The scholarship covers the differential tuition fees after subtracting any fee waiver or discount provided by the institution.
Conclusion
The Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship is a transformative program empowering SC/ST students from Odisha to pursue higher education at elite global universities. Eligible candidates should ensure all certificates are current and apply via the official State Scholarship Portal during the active application windows.