The Odisha government has announced a significant expansion of its flagship merit scholarship program for undergraduate students, a move set to benefit thousands more young scholars across the state. The Higher Education Department has revised the guidelines for the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protshana Yojana, increasing the number of beneficiaries at the UG level while introducing new eligibility criteria for other schemes.
Key Changes in Scholarship Coverage
Under the revised framework, the e-Medhabruti scholarship for undergraduate students will see a substantial increase in coverage. The number of UG students receiving this financial aid has been raised from 10,000 to 14,000. Each selected student will receive Rs 10,000 per year for a period of three years.
However, in a balancing measure, the government has reduced the number of scholarships for students pursuing technical and professional courses. The allocation here has been decreased from 10,000 to 8,000 students. These students will receive a higher amount of Rs 20,000 per year.
The postgraduate merit scholarship remains unchanged, with 5,000 eligible students continuing to receive Rs 15,000 each per year. Cumulatively, these revisions mean that 27,000 students will benefit from the state's merit scholarship scheme every academic year.
Introduction of Age Limits and Revised Eligibility
In a major policy shift, the state has introduced age restrictions for two other key scholarship schemes under the umbrella program. The Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti and the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana will now have specific age caps for applicants.
According to the new rules, undergraduate students above 25 years of age will no longer be eligible. Similarly, postgraduate students and those in technical or professional courses who are over the age of 30 will be barred from applying. The Vyasakabi scholarship provides Rs 20,000 at the UG level and Rs 30,000 at the PG level, while the Gopabandhu yojana offers Rs 20,000 per annum to economically disadvantaged UG and PG students to boost enrollment.
Furthermore, the eligibility for the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana has been tightened. Previously, students from any government-recognized institution or those established by Union or state statute could apply. Now, the financial aid will be restricted to students enrolled in government colleges/universities and non-government aided colleges within Odisha only.
Impact and Objective of the Revisions
The restructuring of the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protshana Yojana appears strategically designed to redirect resources towards younger undergraduate students while maintaining support for postgraduates and those in specialized fields. The expansion of the UG quota aligns with broader goals of increasing access to higher education for meritorious students at the foundational level.
The introduction of age limits is likely intended to ensure that scholarships are utilized by students progressing through the education system in a timely manner, potentially opening up opportunities for a newer cohort. The narrowing of institutional eligibility for the Gopabandhu scheme suggests a focus on supporting students within the state's direct public education framework and its aided private institutions.
Officials from the Higher Education Department have framed these changes as a move to optimize the scheme's reach and impact. By increasing the number of UG beneficiaries, the government aims to support a larger pool of talent early in their academic careers, fostering a stronger pipeline for advanced studies and professional training in Odisha.
