The GopaBandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana is a merit cum means based scheme launched by the government of Odisha under the Mukhyamantri Medhabi Chatra Protsahan Yojana. It aims to provide financial assistance to students from the economically disadvantaged section of society who are pursuing higher education.
About Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana
The Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana is a state-funded financial assistance scheme implemented by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha. The scheme focuses on increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio and ensuring that students belonging to specific vulnerable and marginalised categories can pursue Undergraduate and postgraduate courses without financial hindrance in recognised institutions. The assistance is offered to all categories of students. The selected students will receive financial support of ₹ 20,000 per annum.
Objective of Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana
The Primary objectives are :
- To provide financial assistance to students from underprivileged backgrounds for pursuing Graduation and post-graduation courses in accredited institutions within the state of Odisha.
- To remove financial barriers, promote inclusive higher education and facilitate the socio-economic upliftment of students from vulnerable families.
Key Highlights of Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana 2026
| Scheme Name | Mukhya mantri Medhabi Chatra Protsahan Yojana / Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana |
| Launched by | Government of Odisha |
| Launch Year | 2019 |
| Nodal Department | Higher Education Department |
| Financial Benefits | ₹ 20,000 per annum |
| Target beneficiaries | Economically underprivileged students |
| Mode of Transfer | Direct benefit transfer ( DBT) to the student bank account |
| Article Category | Sarkari Yojana |
Eligibility Criteria
- Permanent Resident of Odisha.
- HIV / AIDS affected Family.
- Students come from households that do not have a permanent shelter.
- Students who are destitute or living on Alms.
- Students belong to a family engaged in manual scavenging.
- Students belong to a particularly vulnerable Tribal Group.
- Students from a family of legally released bonded labourers.
- Applicants must belong to a single-mother household where the mother is widowed, divorced or unmarried and has dependent children.
- The student must be admitted to a regular undergraduate or postgraduate course at a recognised institution.
- Annual Family Income must not exceed ₹ 2.5 lakh.
Assessment Process
- Institutional verification: The head of the institution verifies the student’s enrolment and academic details against the hard copy documents.
- District-level scrutiny: The verified applications are forwarded to the district collector.
- Finalisation: A committee formed by the district collector finalises the list of eligible applicants after thorough verification of all the vulnerable categories and income certificates.
- Disbursement: Funds are disbursed via DBT to the eligible students.
Financial Benefits
- Eligible students receive an annual financial aid of ₹ 20,000 per annum.
- The assistance is provided for the normal duration of the course and is renewed every year until the course is completed.
- Students are eligible for the scholarship even if they are receiving financial support from other schemes.
Important Dates
- Release of Notification: August 2026
- Application open: September 2026
- Closing date: November 2026
Note: The application form is released by the Government of Odisha on its scholarship portal.
Required Documents
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Class 10th & 12th mark sheet
- Resident Certificate
- Collage ID card
- ID Proof ( Aadhar card, Pan card, etc)
- Medical Certificate of HIV / AIDS
- Certificate relating to households without shelter from the competent revenue authority (if required)
- Certificate towards being a single mother from the district social welfare officer (if required)
- Certificate of being a destitute / living on alms from the local sarpanch / urban local body authority (if required )
- Certificate of being a manual scavenger from the competent authority (if applicable )
- Certificate of being from a particularly vulnerable tribal group from the district welfare officer (if required.
- Certificate of being a legally released bonded labourer from the district welfare officer/ district labour officer/ any competent authority (if required)
- Annual Family Income Certificate
- Bank PassBook
Features
- Support students from all categories provided they meet the income and vulnerable category criteria.
- Financial support covers a wide range of higher education courses including technical and non-technical professional courses.
- The Assistance is provided every year until the Completion of the course, subject to annual verification and course duration.
- Ensures transparent and direct transfer of funds to the beneficiary’s bank account.
Application Process of Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana 2026
- Visit the official website “https://scholarship.odisha.gov.in/“.
- Click on Registration.
- Read all the necessary instructions and declaration carefully.
- Now select the check box and click on” I agree”.
- Enter the required details and then finally click on “Register”.
- After registration, login credentials will be sent to the registered mobile number and Email ID.
- Go to the official website and log in
- Click on schemes and scholarship and select Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana”.
- Fill out the online application with the necessary details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Submit the application form .
- Submit the hard copies along with documents to the principal or Head of Institution for further verification.
Helpline Number
For information or queries :
- Contact: 0674-2396550
- Mail ID: scholarshiphedgov@gmail.com
FAQs – Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana 2026
Samrat covers the latest government schemes and Yojana updates. He breaks down complex policies into clear, helpful guides that readers can understand quickly. Whether it’s eligibility, benefits, or online application details, Samrat ensures everything is accurate and easy to follow.