Odisha Scholarships: The Complete Guide (2026)

Odisha runs 21 different state scholarship schemes. That is a lot of schemes, and it is easy to feel lost. This guide explains, in simple words, how they are organized, which one might fit you, and what papers you will need.

Almost everything is on one website

Most Odisha state scholarships use a single website: scholarship.odisha.gov.in. You do not need to hunt for many different portals like students in some other states do.

A few technical or department-run schemes may point to a separate government website. But for almost every scheme — Post-Matric, Pre-Matric, e-Medhabruti, and more — this one portal is where you register and apply.

Two kinds of Odisha schemes: caste-based and open

This is the most important thing to understand before you search for "Odisha scholarship."

Caste-based schemes are only for one specific category. For example:

• Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students — only for SC students.
• Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students — only for ST students.
• Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC/SEBC Students — only for OBC and SEBC students.
• Pre-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students — only for EBC students.

If you are SC or ST anywhere in India, not just Odisha, our SC/ST Scholarships in India guide explains the national picture too.

Open schemes are for students from every category, based on merit or another condition — not your caste. For example:

• e-Medhabruti (UG, PG, and Technical/Professional versions) — for General, SC, ST, OBC, SEBC, and EBC students with good academic results.
• Green Passage Scheme — for higher education and technical education students.
• Krishi Vidya Nidhi Yojana — connected to farming families.
• Sudakshya Scheme — for girl students.
• Banishree Scholarship and Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana — open to all categories.

What this means for you: If you belong to SC, ST, OBC, SEBC, or EBC, check both types — your specific caste-based scheme AND the open schemes, since you may qualify for both.

What does SEBC mean?

You will see the word SEBC a lot in Odisha scheme names. It stands for Socially and Educationally Backward Class. In most Odisha forms, OBC and SEBC students are grouped and treated the same way. Always check the exact scheme's eligibility list to confirm.

Pre-Matric vs Post-Matric — pick the right one

Odisha splits many of its caste-based schemes into two versions, based on what class you are in:

• Pre-Matric = Class 1 to Class 10.
• Post-Matric = Class 11 onwards, including college.

For example, there is a separate Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students and a separate Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students. They are not the same form. Applying to the wrong one, based on your current class, is one of the most common mistakes students make.

Documents you will almost always need

1. Aadhaar Card, linked to an active mobile number and your bank account.
2. Odisha Domicile / Resident Certificate, to prove you live in the state.
3. Family Income Certificate, issued by your local Tahasildar office.
4. Caste Certificate, only if you are applying for an SC, ST, OBC, SEBC, or EBC scheme.
5. Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets.
6. College or school admission receipt or bonafide certificate.
7. Bank passbook copy, showing your account is linked to Aadhaar (this is called NPCI seeding). Most schemes pay money directly into your bank account.

When do Odisha scholarships close?

Many Odisha schemes follow a similar yearly pattern, closing between November and January. But every scheme has its own exact date, and some change year to year. Always check the specific scheme's page for the current deadline — do not assume last year's date is still correct.

How to find the right scheme — step by step

1. Check your category first. If you are SC, ST, OBC, SEBC, or EBC, look at both the caste-based scheme for your category and the open schemes.
2. Check your class level. Make sure you pick the Pre-Matric or Post-Matric version that matches where you are studying now.
3. If you don't fit a caste category, check the open schemes like e-Medhabruti, Green Passage, or Banishree — you may still qualify based on merit.
4. Prepare your documents early, especially your income certificate and caste certificate, since these take time to arrange from local offices.
5. Apply on scholarship.odisha.gov.in and keep your application number safe for status checks later.