Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

• The Odisha government with the help of Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, is offering a two year scholarship for students enrolled in Class XI.
• This scholarship is provided under the government's new initiative called the "Junior Merit Scholarship Scheme".
• The scheme promises to offer scholarships to ten thousand students every year, for outstanding performance in HSC.
• Scholarships will be provided to meritorious students who secure top ranks in the given academic year.
• Under the scheme, eligible students will receive an annual scholarship of Rs 3,000/-, which will be credited directly to their bank account.
• Scholarships are awarded under the "e-medhabruti" scheme, which is funded by the state budget, providing support to these students for their higher education expenses.
• The main objective of the scheme is to recognize student's hard work and excellent performance in the examination, which will also motivate others to perform better.
• Students securing 60% marks or above in the higher secondary class are eligible for the scheme.
• Along with this, the annual parental income of the students should be less than Rs 6 lakh.
• The duration of Junior Merit Scholarship scheme is 2 years, which will be provided during Class XI and Class XII.
• If any student discontinues his/her studies, the scholarship will not be renewed for the next year.
• Fresh and renewal application window for the current academic year will remain open till 30 November 2024.
• It is important for the students to confirm their eligibility before applying for the Junior Merit Scholarship.
• On the basis of marks secured in HSC, the authority will prepare a list in the descending order until it reaches the threshold limit of 10,000.
• If any students secure 92% marks in the examination will be placed above in the list then the one secured 91% marks.
• In case of tie in similar marks, students whose parental income is lower than the other will be preferred.
• Scholarships under the Junior Merit Scholarship scheme will be distributed equally in a 50:50 ratio between boys and girls.
• However, if sufficient candidates are not available from one gender, the remaining scholarship will be allocated to other eligible students.
• Students studying in SAMS and Non SAMS schools can apply for the Junior Merit Scholarship scheme.
• Students eligible for the scholarship in the first year, his/her scholarship will be renewed automatically, subject to validation confirmed by the institution or students continuing his/her studies.
• Genuineness of the application will be checked by the respective institutions and they will rectify the error if found any.
• For more details, students can also visit the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.

Scheme Benefits

• The Odisha government aims to provide scholarships to higher secondary students for their outstanding performance in the Higher Secondary Class. Students who meet the eligibility conditions are entitled for the following benefits : -
  • An annual scholarship of Rs 3,000/- per student.
  • Scholarship will be provided for a duration of 2 years.
  • Each year, Ten thousand scholarships will be distributed in a 50:50 ratio between boys and girls.

Eligibility Requirements

• To avail of the benefits under the Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship scheme, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria, which are stated below : -
  
  • Students must be domiciled residents of Odisha.
  • Students must be enrolled in Class XI .
  • The Annual family income of the students should not exceed Rs 6 Lakh.
  • Students of General, SC, ST, OBC/SEBC and EBC can apply.
  • Minimum 60% marks in HSC Examination is required.
  • Students' school must be recognized by BSE Odisha, CBSE, ICSE, and equivalent to it.

Ineligibility Criteria of Scheme

• Students who are from below mentioned categories are not eligible to apply; if they are : -
  • Pursuing class XI through distance learning.
  • Receiving other scholarship benefits offered by the central or state government.
  • Studying abroad.
  • Enrollment is not validated by his/her institution during class XI.

Required Documents

• Applicants must keep the following documents ready, when submitting applications for Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship : -
  • Students Aadhaar Card.
  • Domicile Certificate issued from the Tahsildar/ Additional Tahsildar.
  • Parents Income Certificate.
  • Mark Sheet and Certificate of last passed examination.
  • Students Bank Passbook.
  • Higher Secondary School ID or Admission Receipt/ Library Card/ Letter of Undertaking issued from the school authority.
  • Passport Size Photograph.

Steps to apply

• Eligible students can apply online for the Junior Merit Scholarship Scheme.
• Online applications for Junior Merit Scholarship are available at Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
• Applicants must submit the scheme application form before the deadline.
• The last date to apply online for Junior Merit Scholarship is 30 November 2024.
• The application process consists of mainly two stages i.e.
  • Online Registration.
  • Online Application Form Submission.

Online Registration

• Applicants who are not registered need to first register at the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
• For this, applicants need to visit the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
• Select 'Student Login' under the 'Login' section from the home page.
• Click 'Register Here' and read all the details carefully.
• Tick the Checkbox to agree with the terms and press the 'Proceed' button.
• Provide the relevant details and complete the registration part.
• Upon registering successfully, applicants will receive login details through email.

Application Process

• Once registered applicants can submit their Junior Merit Scholarship application form.
• For this, they need to visit the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
• Tap on the "Apply Now" button available under the scheme name.
  
• Login with your 'Aadhaar number' and 'Password'.
  
• Navigate to the 'Scheme and Eligibility' section from the dashboard.
• Tap on the 'Apply' button available in front of the scheme.
  
• Fill the Junior Merit scheme application form by providing relevant details.
• Upload the necessary documents in the given size and format.
• Before final submission, preview the application form to ensure details mentioned are correct.
• Authority will verify the received applications and documents.
• Applicants fulfilling the eligibility criteria will receive the scheme benefits.

Relevant Links

• Applicant Registration for Junior Merit Scholarship.
• Applicant login for Junior Merit Scholarship.
• Official guidelines for Junior Merit Scholarship, Odisha.
• Odisha State Scholarship Portal.

Contact Information

• Odisha State Scholarship Portal Helpline Number: 155335
  Toll Free Number: 18003456770
• Odisha Higher Education Department Contact Details.