For meritorious and needy students studying in Odisha, the state government’s scholarship schemes are a major support every year. College fees, books, hostel charges and daily expenses put a heavy burden on many families, and several bright students are forced to give up their studies only because of a shortage of money. To remove this difficulty, the Higher Education Department of Odisha runs several scholarships through a single portal, so that eligible students receive financial help on time and their studies continue without interruption.
In this article, we give you complete information in simple language about the five scholarships under Odisha Scholarship 2026-27 that run under one scheme. You will learn what these five scholarships are, how they differ from each other, how much help each one gives, what the eligibility conditions are, what the complete application process is, which documents are needed, how verification by the institution works, how the money reaches your bank account, and which mistakes to avoid while applying. Answers to frequently asked questions are also given at the end, so that you do not have to search anywhere else.
Last Updated: 8 November 2026
Odisha Scholarship 2026-27 — Key Information at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana |
| Department | Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha |
| Academic session | 2026-27 |
| Number of scholarships | 5 — e-Medhabruti UG Merit, e-Medhabruti PG Merit, e-Medhabruti Technical and Professional Merit, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti Scheme, Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana |
| Mode of application | Online only, through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal |
| Official portal | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
| Department website | dhe.odisha.gov.in |
| Application period (second phase — fresh applications) | 5 November 2026 to 20 November 2026 |
| Official letter | Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha — Letter No. PT1HE-SLR-POLICY-0002-2025 58586/HE, dated 02-11-2026 |
| Validation by heads of institutions | By 30 November 2026 |
| Gopabandhu validation (DWO/OSACS level) | By 15 December 2026 |
| Helpline | 0674-2396550, 0674-2391126, 0674-2391127, 0674-2391128 (working days, 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM) |
| scholarshiphed@gmail.com | |
| Mode of payment | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s bank account |
Important note: The application dates are given as per the official letter of the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, No. PT1HE-SLR-POLICY-0002-2025 58586/HE dated 02-11-2026 — the second phase is open now. Before applying, please check the latest notice on scholarship.odisha.gov.in and dhe.odisha.gov.in, because dates may change. Applications will not be accepted after the last date, so eligible students should apply early instead of waiting for the last day.
First Phase vs Second Phase — Do Not Confuse the Two
The two phases of this scheme cause the most confusion among students, so let us first understand this clearly. The first phase was for students who had already applied — its last date was extended to 31 October 2026 (as per department letter No. 58096/HE dated 30-10-2026), and for that phase institution verification was to be completed by 4 November 2026 and district-level verification by 16 November 2026. The first phase is now closed.
The second phase is for fresh students — those who have not applied before can now apply from 5 November 2026 to 20 November 2026. This phase is confirmed by the Higher Education Department letter No. PT1HE-SLR-POLICY-0002-2025 58586/HE dated 02-11-2026, and its advertisement was to be published on 4 November 2026. In the second phase, heads of institutions have to complete validation by 30 November 2026, while Gopabandhu scheme validation at the DWO/OSACS level will continue till 15 December 2026. If you applied in the first phase, do not apply again — this phase is only for fresh applicants.
All Five Scholarships at a Glance — Amount and Eligibility Compared
The biggest difference among these five scholarships is that they are made for different students. Three of them are given on the basis of merit, that is, marks obtained; one promotes the study of the Odia language; and one is meant specially for students from weak and disadvantaged families. The table below will help you understand at a glance which scholarship is right for you.
| Scholarship | Amount | For whom | Minimum marks | Family income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e-Medhabruti UG Merit | Rs 10,000 per year, for 3 years (total Rs 30,000) | First-year undergraduate students (Plus 3 / BBA / BCA / BJMC) | 55% in Class 12 | Up to Rs 8 lakh per year |
| e-Medhabruti PG Merit | Rs 15,000 per year, for 2 years (total Rs 30,000) | First-year postgraduate (PG) students | 55% in graduation | Up to Rs 8 lakh per year |
| e-Medhabruti Technical and Professional Merit | Rs 20,000 per year, for the full course duration | First-year students of B.Tech, MBBS, B.Pharma, MBA, MCA, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. Agriculture and similar courses | 55% in the last examination | Up to Rs 8 lakh per year |
| Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti | One-time Rs 20,000 (UG); one-time Rs 30,000 (PG) | Students of Odia Honours (UG) and M.A. Odia (PG) | 70% in Class 12 for UG; 60% in Odia Honours for PG | No income limit stated |
| Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana | Rs 20,000 per year, for the full course duration | UG/PG students from 10 specified disadvantaged categories | No minimum marks condition (need-based) | Up to Rs 2.5 lakh per year |
1. e-Medhabruti UG Merit Scholarship — For Undergraduate Students
The e-Medhabruti UG Merit Scholarship is for students who have passed Class 12 and taken admission in the first year of an undergraduate course. It is one of the largest merit scholarships in the state — about 10,000 scholarships are given under it every year. A selected student receives Rs 10,000 per year for three years, a total of Rs 30,000.
The eligibility conditions are as follows. The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha. He or she must have passed the Class 12 examination from CHSE, Odisha, or from an institution recognised by CBSE or ICSE, with at least 55 percent marks. The student must be studying regularly in the first year of an undergraduate course such as Plus 3 (Arts, Science or Commerce), BBA, BCA or BJMC. The annual family income from all sources must not be more than Rs 8 lakh. Students of all categories — General, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC/SEBC and EBC — can apply. Please note that a fresh application can be made only in the first year of the course; a new application is not accepted in the second or third year. Once approved in the first year, the scholarship is renewed every year for the duration of the course, as long as the student continues studying and meets the eligibility conditions.
2. e-Medhabruti PG Merit Scholarship — For Postgraduate Students
The e-Medhabruti PG Merit Scholarship is for students who have completed graduation and taken admission in the first year of a postgraduate (PG) course. About 5,000 scholarships are given under it every year. A selected student receives Rs 15,000 per year for two years, a total of Rs 30,000.
The eligibility conditions are similar to those of the UG Merit scholarship, except that the previous qualification here is a graduation degree. The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha, must have secured at least 55 percent marks in the graduation examination, and must be a regular student in the first year of a PG course in a recognised college or university. The annual family income must not be more than Rs 8 lakh. Students of all categories — General, SC, ST, OBC/SEBC and EBC — are eligible. Many students think that scholarship support ends after graduation, but this scheme is made specially for PG students, so they should apply as soon as they take admission in the first year of PG.
3. e-Medhabruti Technical and Professional Merit Scholarship — For Engineering, Medical and Professional Courses
This scholarship is for students pursuing technical or professional courses, such as B.E./B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, BHMS, BAMS, B.Pharma, B.Sc. (Nursing), B.Sc. (Agriculture), MBA, MCA, M.Tech and integrated courses. About 10,000 scholarships are given under it every year, and a selected student receives Rs 20,000 per year for the full duration of the course — which means a student in a four-year engineering course can receive up to Rs 80,000 in total.
The eligibility conditions are as follows. The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha. He or she must have passed the Class 12 examination from CHSE, Odisha, or from an institution recognised by CBSE or ICSE, or must have completed a three-year degree for a master’s course, with at least 55 percent marks in the last examination. The student must be studying regularly in the first year of a technical or professional course in an institution recognised by regulatory bodies such as AICTE, MCI or UGC. The annual family income must not be more than Rs 8 lakh. Please note that students pursuing higher education through distance learning or open universities are not eligible under this scheme. The three e-Medhabruti scholarships together provide about 25,000 scholarships every year.
4. Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti Scheme — For Students of the Odia Language
This scholarship is named after the famous litterateur Fakir Mohan Senapati, and its aim is to promote higher studies in the Odia language. It is a one-time grant — that is, it is given once, not every year. A selected undergraduate student receives a one-time grant of Rs 20,000, and a postgraduate student receives a one-time grant of Rs 30,000. A total of 1,500 scholarships are awarded every year, of which 1,200 are for UG students and 300 for PG students.
For the undergraduate level, the student must have secured 70 percent or more marks in aggregate in the Class 12 examination conducted by CHSE, Odisha, and must be studying in the first year of Plus 3 Arts with Odia as the Honours subject. It is important to note that revised guidelines have been in force from the academic session 2025-26, under which the minimum marks for the UG level were raised from 60 percent to 70 percent. For the postgraduate level, the student must have secured 60 percent or more marks in Odia Honours at the Plus 3 level and must have taken admission in the M.A. (Odia) course. Students studying in recognised colleges or universities within Odisha or in other states are also eligible, as long as they are residents of Odisha. Students pursuing higher education through distance learning are not eligible. No income limit is mentioned for this scheme, so it is a purely merit-based scholarship.
5. Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana — For Students from Disadvantaged Families
The Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana is the most different of the five, because it is given not on the basis of marks but on the basis of the family’s situation. It is meant for students who come from the weakest sections of society. A selected student receives Rs 20,000 per year for the full duration of the course, and the amount is sent directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.
To be eligible, the student must be a permanent resident of Odisha and must be enrolled in a regular UG or PG course (technical, non-technical or professional) in a recognised institution in Odisha. The annual family income must not be more than Rs 2.5 lakh. In addition, the student must belong to one of the following ten specified categories: (1) family affected by HIV/AIDS, (2) household without shelter, (3) destitute family or family living on alms, (4) manual scavenger family, (5) Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), (6) family of legally released bonded labourers, (7) single-mother family, (8) specially cared child, that is, an orphan student, (9) transgender student, (10) girl student rescued from child marriage and staying in a rehabilitation shelter or hostel. A certificate for the relevant category is required for this scheme, so it should be kept ready before applying.
Common Eligibility Conditions for All Five Scholarships
Each scholarship has its own separate conditions, but some conditions apply to all of them. The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha. The student must be studying regularly in the first year of the course — students studying through distance education or correspondence courses are not eligible. The student’s bank account must be linked with Aadhaar, because the payment is made through DBT into that account. A student can avail the benefit of only one scholarship at a time, so if you are already receiving another state or central scholarship, please read the department guidelines before applying. Applications can be submitted only online through the portal — no offline form or paper application is accepted.
Documents Required for Application
Keep the following documents ready before you start the application, so that the form-filling process is not interrupted. Aadhaar card, residence certificate, income certificate, mark sheet of the last examination, proof of admission from the institution, copy of the bank passbook (of the Aadhaar-linked account), passport-size photograph, caste certificate (if applicable), and for the Gopabandhu scheme, the certificate of the relevant disadvantaged category. Keep all documents scanned clearly and note the file-size limit mentioned on the portal. An unclear or wrong document upload can hold up your application at the institution verification stage.
How to Apply Online — Step by Step
The complete application process is online and can be completed from your mobile phone or computer. Follow the steps given below.
- First, open the official portal scholarship.odisha.gov.in.
- If you are applying for the first time, click on Registration and register using your Aadhaar number and the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
- After registration, log in to the portal using the User ID and password you received.
- After logging in, complete your profile — fill in your personal details, academic details and bank account details correctly.
- Now choose the Apply for Scholarship option and select the correct scholarship as per your eligibility. Choosing the wrong scholarship can lead to rejection of the application, so first decide your scholarship with the help of the comparison table given above.
- Upload the required documents and check the form carefully.
- Submit the form and keep the application receipt or printout safe. Keep the Application ID carefully, because it will be needed to check the status later.
- After submitting the application, contact your college or institution and confirm the verification.
Institution Verification and Timeline — The Most Important Step
Submitting the application is not the last step. After that, the head of your institution or the principal has to validate your application. As per the department letter (58586/HE dated 02-11-2026), heads of institutions have to complete the validation of fresh applications by 30 November 2026. Applications under the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana will be validated at the District Welfare Office (DWO) and OSACS level by 15 December 2026. If the institution does not complete the validation on time, the application does not move forward, so after submitting the application, do meet the nodal officer of your college and keep asking about the verification status. You can also log in to the portal and check your Application Status. If there is no change in the status for a long time, contact your college and, if needed, call the helpline.
How the Money Reaches Your Account — DBT and APBS
The scholarship amount of selected students is sent directly to their bank account through DBT. As per the department guidelines, from the academic session 2025-26 onwards, payments are made only through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS). This means your bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded and DBT must be active in it. If your account is not linked with Aadhaar, the payment may get stuck. Before applying, visit your bank and check the status of Aadhaar seeding. It may take some time for the amount to arrive after verification and the preparation of the merit list, so be patient and keep checking the status on the portal.
The Laptop Scheme on the Same Portal — Apply by 19 November
Students who are applying for this scholarship should also know that applications for laptops are also open on the same Odisha State Scholarship Portal. Under the Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana, meritorious students receive one-time assistance of Rs 30,000 to buy a laptop, and the last date to apply is 19 November 2026. If you have passed the Higher Secondary Examination 2025 of CHSE, Odisha, or the Upashastri Examination 2025, and your name is on the merit list, you can also apply for the laptop scheme. Read our full article for complete details: Odisha Laptop Scheme 2026: Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana — Rs 30,000 Assistance. Applications for both schemes are made from the same portal, so the documents and login process are similar, but a separate application has to be filled for each scheme.
How It Differs from the Post-Matric Scholarship — A Different Scheme
Many students mistake this scholarship for the Odisha Post-Matric Scholarship, but the two are different schemes. The Post-Matric Scholarship is for students of the ST, SC, OBC/SEBC and EBC categories and is run by a different department, while the five scholarships in this article come under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana of the Higher Education Department and are mainly based on merit and disadvantaged categories. Applications for both are made on the same portal (scholarship.odisha.gov.in), so choosing the correct scheme on the portal is very important. For complete details of the Post-Matric Scholarship, read our article: Odisha Post-Matric Scholarship 2026-27.
Common Mistakes While Applying and How to Avoid Them
Every year, many students’ applications get stuck because of small mistakes. The most common mistake is choosing the wrong scholarship — first decide your eligibility, then apply. The second mistake is entering a wrong mobile number linked with Aadhaar, because of which the OTP is not received. The third mistake is a bank account that is not linked with Aadhaar, which stops the payment. The fourth mistake is uploading blurred or wrong documents. The fifth and biggest mistake is forgetting the application after submitting it — contacting the college for verification is as important as filling the form. Please remember that the application is completely free. If anyone asks for money in the name of this scheme, it may be fraud — report such a person on the helpline and never share your OTP or password with anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
By when can I apply for Odisha Scholarship 2026-27?
As per the official letter of the Higher Education Department (58586/HE dated 02-11-2026), fresh applications for all five scholarships will be accepted from 5 November 2026 to 20 November 2026. This is the second phase and is only for fresh applicants. Please check the latest notice on the portal before applying.
I applied in the first phase — do I need to apply again?
No. The first phase closed on 31 October 2026. The second phase (5–20 November 2026) is only for fresh students. If you applied in the first phase, ask your institution about the verification status and keep checking your application status on the portal.
How much money is given under the e-Medhabruti UG Merit Scholarship?
Financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per year is given for three years, a total of Rs 30,000.
How much scholarship do students of Technical and Professional courses receive?
Rs 20,000 per year, for the full duration of the course. A student in a four-year engineering course can receive up to Rs 80,000 in total.
How many marks are needed for the Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti Scholarship?
For the UG level, 70 percent marks in Class 12 are needed, and for the PG level, 60 percent marks in Odia Honours are needed. The amount is a one-time grant — Rs 20,000 for UG and Rs 30,000 for PG.
Who is the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana for?
This scheme is for students from ten specified disadvantaged categories, such as families affected by HIV/AIDS, households without shelter, PVTGs, single-mother families, orphan students and transgender students. The annual family income must not be more than Rs 2.5 lakh, and the amount given is Rs 20,000 per year.
Can a student apply for more than one scholarship?
The eligibility of the five scholarships is different, and a student should choose the correct scholarship as per his or her qualification. Only one scholarship can be availed at a time, so please read the department guidelines before applying.
Who verifies the application after it is submitted?
The head of your institution or the principal verifies your application. The Gopabandhu scheme is verified at the DWO and OSACS level. Only after the verification is complete is the merit list prepared and the payment process started.
How will the scholarship amount reach my account?
The amount is sent directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. From the academic session 2025-26, payments are made through APBS, so make sure Aadhaar seeding is done in your bank account.
Where can I get help?
You can call the helpline numbers 0674-2396550, 0674-2391126, 0674-2391127 and 0674-2391128 on working days between 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM, or send an email to scholarshiphed@gmail.com.
Important Links
| Details | Link |
|---|---|
| Odisha State Scholarship Portal (apply online) | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
| Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha | dhe.odisha.gov.in |
| Odisha Laptop Scheme 2026 — Rs 30,000 assistance (GramSuvidha) | gramsuvidha.co.in/en/odisha-laptop-scheme-2026-guide/ |
| Odisha Post-Matric Scholarship 2026-27 — a different scheme, do not confuse (GramSuvidha) | gramsuvidha.co.in/en/odisha-post-matric-scholarship-2026-27-eligibility-last-date-amount-and-how-to-apply-online/ |
| DHE Odisha SAMS Portal 2026 — merit list and admission (GramSuvidha) | gramsuvidha.co.in/en/dhe-odisha-sams-portal-2026-guide/ |
This is a golden opportunity for meritorious and needy students of Odisha. If you are eligible, do not delay — first check your eligibility, keep your documents ready, and complete your online application before 20 November 2026. Correct information, the right choice of scholarship, and timely verification are the keys to receiving this benefit.
Disclaimer: This is a private information portal, not a government website. The information given here is prepared on the basis of public notices and official portals. Before applying, please check the latest notice on dhe.odisha.gov.in and scholarship.odisha.gov.in.
