Videsh Siksha Bruti - Foreign Education Scholarship (Odisha) Selection Process 2026
How Candidates are Selected
Only for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who are bonafide residents of Odisha. Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹12,00,000 per year. Student must have secured confirmed admission to Postgraduate (PG) or PhD programme at a foreign university or institution. The foreign university MUST be ranked in Top 200 of QS World University Rankings - non-QS ranked or lower ranked universities not eligible. Only courses at Masters level or Doctoral level covered - Undergraduate Bachelor programmes not eligible under this scheme. Selection is merit-based and competitive - only 50 students selected per year across all disciplines. Preference given to students with strong academic records and admission to highly ranked universities. Applications invited twice per year: July-August cycle for admissions starting August-September globally, December-January cycle for admissions starting January-February globally. Students pursuing studies in any country eligible as long as university meets QS Top 200 criteria. FURTHER RESEARCH NEEDED on exact selection criteria weightage for different factors merit versus income versus university ranking. FURTHER RESEARCH NEEDED on whether scholarship amount is fixed ₹25 lakh or varies by country cost of living or course duration.
Verification Flow
Institute Nodal Officer Verification
Your college/school checks your bonafide status, fees paid, and marks cards against the database.
District Welfare Officer / State Board Sanction
The state/central department approves the budget release for verified records based on category quotas.
Fund Disbursement via DBT
The bank issues direct fund credits to Aadhaar-seeded accounts using treasury payment systems.
FAQs for Videsh Siksha Bruti - Foreign Education Scholarship (Odisha)
Q.When can I apply for this scholarship?
Applications will open twice per year during July-August and December-January cycles. First cycle expected July-August 2025. Monitor scholarship.odisha.gov.in or dhe.odisha.gov.in for exact dates as portal is not yet operational.
Q.Do I need to get admission first or apply for scholarship first?
You must secure admission to a Top 200 QS Ranking foreign university FIRST, then apply for the scholarship with your admission offer letter as supporting document.
Q.Which countries are covered under this scheme?
Any country is eligible as long as the university is ranked in Top 200 of QS World University Rankings. This includes universities in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, etc.
Q.Can I use this scholarship for undergraduate studies abroad?
No, only Postgraduate (Masters) and PhD programmes are covered. Undergraduate Bachelor degree programmes are not eligible.
Q.How competitive is this scholarship?
Very competitive - only 50 students selected annually across all of Odisha for all disciplines. Priority given to students with strong academic merit and admission to highly ranked universities within the Top 200.