# Odisha launches overseas scholarships for 50 SC, ST students 2026-08-25T01:03:07+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Odisha has launched the Bidesh Sikhyabruti scheme for 50 meritorious students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities to pursue master’s and PhD degrees at foreign institutions. The scholarships will cover tuition, living and travel expenses up to Rs 25 lakh a year for two years, with eligible institutions identified through Quacquarelli Symonds rankings. The scheme was officially announced in December and is part of Odisha’s efforts to expand opportunities for communities that comprise about two-fifths of the state’s population. Similar programmes operate in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. More than 1,100 students have benefited from Kerala’s Unnathi Overseas programme, while 834 students used the Union government’s National Overseas Scholarship between 2014-15 and 2024-25. Odisha will need effective application support and mentoring to help students manage admissions, tests and visas. ## Indian Opinion Analysis At the scheme’s stated ceiling, the two-year commitment could reach Rs 25 crore for one cohort, before any variation in actual claims. That makes selection rules and payment schedules important for students who may not be able to pre-finance applications, deposits or travel. A publicly available calendar, help desks and university-level guidance would make access less dependent on personal networks. The first useful measure of delivery will be how many of the 50 sanctioned places convert into enrolments and completed courses. ## Coverage - newindianexpress.com Presents the scheme, comparable programmes and implementation needs without partisan framing This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Bidesh Sikhyabruti, Kerala, Odisha, Quacquarelli Symonds Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/odisha-launches-overseas-scholarships-for-50-sc-st-students/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/odisha-launches-overseas-scholarships-for-50-sc-st-students/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/