Odisha Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Higher education can open doors to better career opportunities, but the cost of pursuing a degree or professional course can become a challenge for many students and their families. To make higher education more accessible and provide financial support to deserving students, the Government of Odisha introduced the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana (MMCPY) – Higher Education from the academic year 2023-24. It is an umbrella scholarship scheme that brings together three scholarship programmes: e-Medhabruti, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti and Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana (GSSY). Depending on the scholarship category, eligible students can receive financial assistance of ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per year, while the Vyasakabi scholarship provides a one-time award. The scheme aims to support meritorious students, encourage the study of the Odia language and help students from economically disadvantaged and marginalised families continue their education.

The scheme is implemented by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha. The department manages the scholarship framework, application process, verification and disbursement of assistance. Applications are submitted online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal, and the approved scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system using IFMS.

Under the e-Medhabruti component, students pursuing regular undergraduate, postgraduate, technical and professional courses can get financial assistance. UG students receive ₹10,000 per year, PG students receive ₹15,000 per year and technical and professional course students receive ₹20,000 per year. To apply, students must be permanent residents of Odisha, have at least 55% marks in their qualifying examination and have an annual family income of up to ₹8 lakh. Students should generally apply in the first year of their course. Those studying through distance or correspondence courses or receiving another State or Central Government scholarship cannot apply under this component.

The Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti component provides financial support to students studying Odia at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in +3 Arts with Odia Honours, while postgraduate students must be pursuing MA Odia after completing their graduation with Odia Honours. As per the 2023-24 guidelines, students must have at least 60% marks in the required examination to receive a one-time scholarship of ₹20,000. The Odisha Government's 2026-27 Budget Speech has also announced ₹20,000 for +3 Odia Honours students and ₹30,000 for postgraduate Odia students. Students should check the latest notification for the applicable scholarship amount and conditions.

Under the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana (GSSY), eligible students can receive ₹20,000 per year to continue their higher education. This component supports students from HIV/AIDS-affected, homeless, destitute, manual scavenger and PVTG families, as well as families of legally released bonded labourers. It also covers students from single-mother families, specially cared children, transgender students and eligible girls rescued from child marriage. Applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha, studying at an eligible institution in the state and have an annual family income below ₹2.50 lakh. Students receiving another scholarship can also apply for GSSY if they meet its other conditions.

Students can apply for MMCPY online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. They need to register using their Aadhaar number, log in to their account, select the relevant scholarship component, fill in the application form and upload the required documents. These may include a residence certificate, income certificate, mark sheets, Aadhaar card, bank passbook and college ID. GSSY applicants must also submit documents related to their eligible category. After submission, the institution checks the application and documents, while GSSY applications also undergo district-level verification. For the 2026-27 second phase, fresh applications are open from 5 November to 20 November 2026. Students should submit their applications before the deadline and check their application status on the scholarship portal.

Students exploring other education-related support programmes in Odisha can also read about the Odisha Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana, which provides financial assistance to eligible meritorious students for purchasing a laptop, and the Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship Scheme, which supports eligible students at the Class XI and XII levels. Students planning to pursue higher studies abroad may also explore the Odisha Videsh Shiksha Bruti Scheme.

Scheme Benefits

The Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana provides financial assistance to Odisha students through three scholarship components. The amount depends on the course being pursued and the student's eligibility category. The major benefits of the scheme are:

• Students pursuing regular undergraduate courses can receive ₹10,000 per year under the e-Medhabruti UG Merit Scholarship, up to ₹30,000 for a three-year course.
• Students pursuing postgraduate courses can receive ₹15,000 per year under the e-Medhabruti PG Merit Scholarship, up to ₹30,000 for a two-year course.
• Students enrolled in eligible technical and professional courses can receive ₹20,000 per year for the duration of their course.
• Students studying Odia Honours at the undergraduate level or MA Odia at the postgraduate level can receive a one-time scholarship under the Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti component.
• Eligible students from marginalised and economically disadvantaged families can receive ₹20,000 per year under the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana until completion of their course.
• Students who are permanent residents of Odisha can apply for e-Medhabruti and Vyasakabi scholarships even if they are studying outside the state, subject to the respective eligibility conditions.
• Students receiving another scholarship can also receive assistance under Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti and GSSY, as permitted by their guidelines. However, e-Medhabruti applicants already receiving another State or Central Government scholarship are not eligible.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the eligible student's Aadhaar-linked savings bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• The e-Medhabruti scholarship is renewed automatically each year after the institution verifies the student's continued enrolment and the student completes Aadhaar OTP re-verification.

Scholarship Components Under Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana

The Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana is an umbrella scholarship scheme that brings three earlier scholarship programmes under one framework. Each component supports a different group of students, so applicants should choose the category that matches their course and eligibility. The three components are explained below.

• e-Medhabruti Scholarship: This component provides merit-cum-means financial assistance to Odisha students pursuing regular undergraduate, postgraduate, technical and professional courses. It has three categories: UG Merit, PG Merit, and Technical and Professional Merit. The scholarship amount is ₹10,000 per year for UG students, ₹15,000 per year for PG students and ₹20,000 per year for eligible technical and professional students. Applicants generally need at least 55% marks in the qualifying examination and an annual family income of up to ₹8 lakh.
• Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti: This scholarship encourages students to pursue the Odia language at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is intended for students enrolled in +3 Arts with Odia Honours or an MA Odia course, subject to the prescribed academic conditions. The 2023–24 consolidated guidelines provide a one-time award of ₹20,000. The Odisha Government's 2026–27 Budget Speech separately announced ₹20,000 for +3 Odia Honours students and ₹30,000 for postgraduate Odia students; applicants should check the latest component notification for the applicable award amount.
• Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana (GSSY): This component provides annual financial assistance to eligible undergraduate, postgraduate and professional-course students from specified marginalised groups. These include students from HIV/AIDS-affected, homeless, destitute, manual scavenger, PVTG, legally released bonded labourer and single-mother families, as well as specially cared children, transgender students and eligible girls rescued from child marriage. The assistance is ₹20,000 per year, subject to the scheme's eligibility and verification requirements.

Students should read the guidelines for their chosen component carefully before applying because the income limits, academic requirements, eligible courses and supporting documents are not the same for all three components.

Eligibility Requirements

The Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana covers different categories of students through its three scholarship components. The eligibility conditions vary depending on the course, academic performance, family income and personal circumstances of the applicant. Students must meet the requirements of the scholarship component under which they wish to apply.

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha for e-Medhabruti and Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti. Eligible students under these components can study in Odisha or outside the state.
• For e-Medhabruti, the annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
• Students applying for e-Medhabruti must have secured at least 55% marks in their previous qualifying examination.
• For the e-Medhabruti UG Merit Scholarship, students must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination and be enrolled in a regular three-year undergraduate degree course.
• For the e-Medhabruti PG Merit Scholarship, students must have completed a bachelor's degree with at least 55% marks and be enrolled in an eligible regular postgraduate course.
• For the e-Medhabruti Technical and Professional Merit Scholarship, students must have passed Class 12 or the required bachelor's degree examination, depending on the course, with at least 55% marks. They must be pursuing an eligible regular technical or professional course recognised by the relevant regulatory authority.
• Students applying for e-Medhabruti should generally submit their applications in the first year of admission. Students who miss the first year may apply later only if vacancies remain in the relevant first-year merit quota. In such cases, they receive assistance only for the remaining course years.
• For the Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti scholarship, undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a +3 Arts course with Odia Honours and have secured at least 60% marks in Class 12, as specified in the 2023–24 guidelines.
• For the postgraduate Vyasakabi scholarship, applicants must be admitted to an MA Odia course after completing +3 Arts with Odia Honours and securing at least 60% marks in Odia Honours.
• For Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana (GSSY), applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha and enrolled in an eligible undergraduate, postgraduate or professional course at a recognised institution in the state.
• GSSY applicants must belong to one of the specified categories, including families affected by HIV/AIDS, homeless or destitute families, manual scavenger families, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), families of legally released bonded labourers, single-mother families, specially cared children, transgender students or eligible girls rescued from child marriage.
• For GSSY, the annual household income must be below ₹2.50 lakh, as stated in the consolidated guidelines.
• Students enrolled in distance or correspondence courses are not eligible for e-Medhabruti or Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti.
• Students already receiving a scholarship under another State or Central Government scheme cannot apply for e-Medhabruti. However, eligible students may receive Vyasakabi or GSSY assistance along with another scholarship, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Applicants must provide correct Aadhaar and bank account details and ensure that their institution verifies their application within the prescribed period.

Required Documents

Students applying for the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana must submit documents to prove their residence, family income, academic qualifications and bank account details. The required documents may vary depending on the scholarship component. The following documents are generally required:

• Residence certificate issued by the Tahasildar or Additional Tahasildar. If the applicant's parent is an Odisha Government employee, confirmation from the employer may be accepted.
• Income certificate for the current financial year, issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tahasildar or Additional Tahasildar, wherever applicable.
• Mark sheets of the qualifying examination, such as Class 12, undergraduate or postgraduate examinations, depending on the scholarship category.
• First page of the bank passbook showing the applicant's account number and IFSC code. The bank account must be Aadhaar-linked and active.
• Aadhaar card of the applicant.
• College or institution identity card. If it is not available, a Letter of Undertaking authenticated by the institution, mentioning the academic session, course, course duration and roll or registration number.
• For Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana applicants, a certificate or supporting document proving eligibility under the relevant category, such as HIV/AIDS-affected family, homelessness, destitution, manual scavenging, PVTG status or release from bonded labour.
• Single-mother certificate issued by the District Social Welfare Officer, where applicable.
• Orphan or Specially Cared Child certificate issued by the District Child Protection Officer, where applicable.
• Transgender certificate obtained through the National Portal for Transgender Persons, where applicable.
• Certificate issued by the District Social Welfare Officer for girls rescued from child marriage, where applicable.
• Age proof, such as Aadhaar card, birth certificate or matriculation certificate, wherever required for the relevant GSSY category.
• For Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti applicants, proof of enrolment in a +3 Arts course with Odia Honours or admission to MA Odia, as applicable.

Applicants should upload clear and valid documents while completing the online application. They should also check the instructions for their selected scholarship component on the Odisha State Scholarship Portal, as additional category-specific documents may be required.

Selection Process

The selection process under MMCPY varies according to the scholarship component selected by the applicant. While e-Medhabruti and Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti follow merit-based selection, Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana also requires verification of the applicant's eligible category. The overall process is explained below.

Selection Process at a Glance

• Students first submit their applications online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal along with the required academic, income, residence and bank details.
• The institution's Scholarship Cell checks the application and supporting documents. The Principal or Head of Institution authenticates eligible applications and forwards the verified records through the portal.
• For e-Medhabruti, scholarship seats are distributed among districts according to the student population. Around 50% of each district's allocated seats are filled through the district merit list, while the remaining 50% are distributed among blocks and filled through block-level merit lists.
• e-Medhabruti merit lists are prepared according to the aggregate percentage obtained in the last qualifying examination, in descending order. If two applicants secure the same marks, the student with the lower family income receives preference.
• If seats remain vacant in a block, they may be allotted to eligible students elsewhere in the same district. Unfilled district seats may first be allocated to underprivileged districts and then to other eligible students who were not selected earlier.
• For Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti, selection is based on academic merit. Undergraduate applicants are ranked according to their +2 marks, while postgraduate applicants are ranked according to their Odia Honours marks.
• GSSY applications undergo additional verification of the applicant's eligibility category. The District Collector's committee finalises the eligible list and forwards it to the Higher Education Department for further processing. The 2026–27 application schedule also provides for DWO/OSACS-level validation.
• After the required verification and approval, the scholarship amount is transferred to the eligible student's Aadhaar-linked savings bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) using IFMS.

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Students must satisfy the eligibility conditions, provide valid documents and ensure that their applications are verified within the prescribed deadlines.

Steps to Apply

Students who meet the eligibility conditions can apply for the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. The application process is online, and students need to complete their registration, provide the required details and submit the form for verification by their respective institutions. Follow these steps to apply:

• Open the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. On the homepage, look for the student registration option if you are applying for the first time. Students who already have an account can directly select the Login option.
• For new registration, enter your Aadhaar number in the required field and proceed. Make sure you use your own correct Aadhaar details.
• After completing the registration, check the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar or your registered email address. The portal will send your User ID and password for logging in.
• Return to the portal and log in using the User ID and password received during registration.
• After logging in, select the Higher Education Department and choose the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana. Then select the relevant scholarship component, such as e-Medhabruti UG Merit, PG Merit, Technical and Professional Merit, Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti or Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana.
• Fill in the application form with your personal details, academic information, eligibility details and bank account information. Check that the information matches your supporting documents.
• Upload the required documents in the prescribed format. Make sure that the uploaded files are clear and readable so that the institution can verify your application without difficulty.
• Review the completed form carefully. You can use the Save as Draft option if you want to complete it later, or select Next to proceed with the application.
• Check the preview of your application before final submission. If all the details are correct, submit the form and download or print a copy for your records.

How to Check Application Status?

After submitting the scholarship form, students can check whether their application has moved forward for verification or requires attention. The Odisha State Scholarship Portal provides a separate status-check facility, so applicants do not need to submit another application just to track their existing one.

• Open the Know Your Status page on the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
• Enter your Aadhaar number or application number in the field provided.
• Select the Get OTP option and complete the verification process as instructed on the portal.
• Check the application information and status displayed on the screen.
• If the application has been returned for correction, log in to your student account, make the required changes and resubmit it within the permitted time.

Keep your application number and registered mobile number available while checking the status. If the portal does not display the application details or you face a technical problem, contact the Higher Education Department for assistance.

Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana Application Dates 2026–27

The Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, has opened the second phase of MMCPY applications for fresh students for the academic year 2026–27. Students applying under the listed scholarship components must submit their online forms within the application window. The institution and district-level authorities have separate deadlines for verification.

For GSSY, additional verification at the District Welfare Officer (DWO) or Odisha State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) level can continue until 15 December 2026.

The student application deadline is 20 November 2026. Applicants should submit their forms before this date rather than waiting for the institution or district-level verification deadlines, which are meant for the concerned authorities.

Relevant Links

• Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha
• Odisha State Scholarship Portal
• Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana Application Notice (2026-27)

Contact Information

Students who need assistance with the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chhatra Protsahan Yojana can contact the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, using the following details:

• Department: Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha
• Phone: 0674-2396550, 0674-2391126, 0674-2391127, 0674-2391128
• Email: [email protected]
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Address: Higher Education Department, Lok Seva Bhavan, Sachivalaya Marg, Bhubaneswar, Odisha – 751001.