Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026 – Odisha SC/ST Students Can Now Study Abroad with Up to Rs. 25 Lakh Per Year

On August 18, 2026, the Odisha government officially launched the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship — a bold new scheme under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY) that will send 50 talented SC/ST students abroad every year to pursue Postgraduate (PG) or PhD studies — all expenses paid up to Rs. 25 lakh per year.

If you or someone you know belongs to the SC or ST community in Odisha and has always wanted to study abroad but thought money would be the roadblock — this scholarship is exactly what you have been waiting for. And you need to act fast: applications close on August 31, 2026.

Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026 – Quick Overview

What is the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship?

“Bidesh Sikhyabruti” literally means Foreign Scholarship in Odia — and that name says it all. This is Odisha’s most ambitious scholarship scheme for SC and ST students who want to pursue higher education at globally reputed universities.

The scheme is part of the larger Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY), which the Odisha government has designed to support meritorious but economically disadvantaged students. The Bidesh Sikhyabruti component specifically targets international education — making it stand out from other state scholarships.

Think of it this way: earlier, a brilliant SC/ST student from a village in Koraput or Mayurbhanj had almost no financial path to study at a university like Oxford, NUS Singapore, or University of Toronto. This scheme changes that completely.

How Much Money Will You Get? – Financial Benefits Explained

This is the part everyone wants to know. Here is a clear breakdown of what the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship covers:

Duration of support:

• For PG (Postgraduate) courses: Financial assistance for 1 or 2 years, depending on the course duration.
• For PhD courses: Assistance provided for up to 2 years.
• No extension will be granted beyond 2 years under any circumstances.

A student can avail this scholarship only once — either for a PG or a PhD, not both. So choose wisely!

How Are the 50 Seats Distributed?

Every year, 50 students will be selected under the Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship. The seats are categorized as follows:

This wide spread means students from all streams — not just engineers or doctors — have a fair shot at studying abroad.

Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria

Before you rush to fill the form, make sure you tick all these boxes:

• ✅ You must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
• ✅ You must belong to SC (Scheduled Caste) or ST (Scheduled Tribe) category.
• ✅ You must have received an official admission offer from a foreign university ranked in the Top 200 of the QS World University Rankings.
• ✅ Your annual family income must be Rs. 12 lakh or below.
• ✅ You must be applying for a PG or PhD programme.
• ❌ Students already receiving another scholarship or financial aid are NOT eligible.
• ❌ You can avail this scholarship only once in a lifetime.

What universities qualify? Any foreign university listed in the QS World University Rankings Top 200 is eligible. This includes institutions like MIT, Cambridge, University of Melbourne, ETH Zurich, NUS Singapore, University of Toronto, and many more.

Documents Required for Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship

Keep these documents ready before you start the online application:

• 📄 Caste Certificate (SC/ST) issued by a competent authority in Odisha
• 📄 Income Certificate (annual family income below Rs. 12 lakh) – recent and valid
• 📄 Proof of admission / Offer Letter from the foreign university
• 📄 Academic records / Mark sheets (10th, 12th, Graduation, and PG if applicable)
• 📄 Domicile / Residence proof of Odisha
• 📄 Valid passport
• 📄 Bank account details (for scholarship disbursement)
• 📄 Passport-size photograph
• 📄 Any other document required by OSHEC during verification

Note: Ensure all certificates are current and issued by the appropriate government authority. Outdated documents may lead to rejection.

How to Apply for Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide

The entire application process is 100% online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. Here is how to do it:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to scholarship.odisha.gov.in
2. Register / Log in: If you are a new user, create an account using your Aadhaar number and mobile number. Existing users can log in directly.
3. Search for Bidesh Sikhyabruti: Look for the scheme under the MMCPY or Higher Education Department section.
4. Fill the Application Form: Enter your personal details, academic information, university admission details, and family income information carefully.
5. Upload Documents: Upload all required documents in the specified format and size.
6. Review Your Application: Double-check everything before submission. Errors can cost you the scholarship.
7. Submit and Save: Click Submit and save the application reference number for future tracking.
8. Track Status: You can log in to the portal to track your application status after submission.

⚠️ Last date to apply: August 31, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Don’t wait for the last day — portals can get slow with heavy traffic!

How Will Students Be Selected?

The selection process is handled by the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC), which is the nodal agency for this scheme. Selection is merit-based and transparent:

1. Primary criterion: QS World Ranking of the university where you have received admission. Higher-ranked universities = higher priority.
2. Tiebreaker 1: Academic performance of the applicant.
3. Tiebreaker 2: Family income — lower income gets priority.

Selected students must submit regular academic progress reports to the Higher Education Department to continue receiving the scholarship.

Important Rules You Must Know

• 🔴 The scholarship can be availed only once — either PG or PhD, not both.
• 🔴 No extension is allowed beyond 2 years, regardless of the reason.
• 🔴 Students must maintain regular progress and submit periodic academic reports.
• 🔴 Any violation of rules, failure to submit documents, or misuse of funds can lead to recovery of the entire scholarship amount with interest.
• 🔴 Defaulting students will be disqualified from all future Odisha government scholarship schemes.
• 🔴 If you are already receiving another scholarship or financial aid, you are not eligible to apply.

Real-Life Example – How This Scholarship Can Change a Life

Meet Subhashree, a 23-year-old ST student from Sundargarh district in Odisha. She completed her B.Sc. in Biotechnology with distinction but always felt that a PhD abroad was just a dream — her family’s annual income is around Rs. 8 lakh and they could never afford foreign university fees.

Then she heard about Bidesh Sikhyabruti. She applied to the University of Edinburgh (ranked in the QS Top 200), got an admission offer, and submitted her application on the OSS Portal before August 31. She was selected in the first batch of 50 students.

Today, Subhashree is pursuing her PhD in Genetics in Scotland — her tuition, accommodation, flights, and health insurance all covered under this scholarship. Her family back in Sundargarh couldn’t be prouder.

This is exactly the kind of transformation the Odisha government is aiming for with Bidesh Sikhyabruti.

Why Bidesh Sikhyabruti is a Game-Changer for Odisha’s SC/ST Students

Let us be honest — studying abroad has always been a privilege of the wealthy. Tuition at a top foreign university alone can cost Rs. 20–30 lakh per year, and that doesn’t even include housing, food, travel, and insurance. For an SC or ST family earning Rs. 8–10 lakh a year, this was completely out of reach.

Bidesh Sikhyabruti breaks that barrier. Here’s what makes it special:

• 💡 Comprehensive coverage — Not just tuition. Travel, living, insurance — everything.
• 💡 Top universities only — QS Top 200 means you will be studying alongside the world’s best.
• 💡 Both PG and PhD — Covers two crucial stages of higher education.
• 💡 State-backed security — You know the money will come. This is not a private scholarship that may or may not renew.
• 💡 Merit-first selection — It rewards hard work, not just connections.

⚠️ Important Notice

Application window for Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026 is open from August 18 to August 31, 2026 only. Apply immediately at scholarship.odisha.gov.in to avoid missing this life-changing opportunity.

Important Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Bidesh Sikhyabruti Scholarship 2026

Menka Singh

Menka Singh is an education researcher and scholarship consultant with over 5 years of experience helping Indian students navigate central, state and private scholarship programmes. Having personally applied for and received scholarships during her own education, she brings firsthand understanding to every guide she writes. She specialises in Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and all India scholarship schemes and has helped thousands of students find verified funding opportunities. Read More: Click Here