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.

Scholarship for Global Education

Under the scheme, SC and ST students from families with an annual income of Rs 12 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 in 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.

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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.