Odisha Launches Videsh Siksha Bruti Scheme for Students

• Odisha launches Videsh Siksha Bruti Yojana, supporting students’ overseas higher education.
• The scheme offers up to ₹20 lakh tuition assistance for top-ranked universities.
• Beneficiaries must return post-graduation to contribute to Odisha’s development.

Odisha's Higher Education Department has rolled out the Videsh Siksha Bruti Yojana, a flagship initiative designed to financially empower meritorious students pursuing postgraduate or higher studies overseas, fostering global talent development for the state.

Launched on November 26, 2025, in Bhubaneswar by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, the scheme allocates ₹50 crore in the 2025-26 budget to provide up to ₹20 lakh per student in tuition fee assistance, targeting those admitted to top-ranked foreign universities in fields such as engineering, medicine, management, and pure sciences.

Eligibility criteria emphasize academic excellence: applicants must be Odisha domiciles with at least 60% marks in their undergraduate degrees (55% for SC/ST categories) and secure admission to institutions featured in global rankings such as QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education. Priority goes to underrepresented disciplines and women candidates, ensuring equitable access. The program covers a wide range of countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan, with selections based on a transparent merit-cum-need assessment conducted by a state-level committee.

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Beneficiaries will receive direct reimbursements for tuition and related fees upon submission of proof of enrollment and satisfactory progress reports, with a mandatory bond requiring them to return and contribute to Odisha's development for at least two years post-graduation.

This "study abroad, serve at home" clause aims to reverse brain drain by incentivizing alumni to join local industries, academia, or startups. Minister Suraj described the yojana as "a game-changer for Odisha's youth, bridging the gap between global education and state progress, and positioning us as a hub for skilled professionals."

The launch event, attended by education officials and student representatives, highlighted success stories from similar past initiatives such as the Prerana scheme, which has supported over 1,000 students domestically. Applications open December 1 via the department's online portal, with the first batch expected to depart in mid-2026.