Junior Merit Scholarship 2025-26 Odisha: Full Guide for Higher Secondary Students on Scholarship Amount, Eligibility, Reservation, and Application Procedure

Education is the cornerstone of personal growth and societal development, and financial support plays a pivotal role in enabling students to achieve their academic potential. Recognizing the need to support meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds, the Government of Odisha has introduced the Junior Merit Scholarship 2025-26 under the “e-Medhabruti” scheme. This scholarship provides financial assistance to Higher Secondary students (Class XI & XII) whose parental income does not exceed ₹6 lakh per annum. By ensuring support to deserving students, the scheme encourages academic excellence and reduces financial barriers, allowing young learners to focus on their studies and prepare for a successful future.

Important Dates

All eligible students must submit their applications online within the specified timeline. Late applications or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Objectives of the Scheme

The Junior Merit Scholarship aims to:

1. Provide financial assistance to meritorious students of Class XI and XII in Odisha from families with limited income.
2. Encourage academic excellence and reduce dropout rates due to financial constraints.
3. Promote equitable access to higher secondary education for both boys and girls.
4. Foster a merit-based culture where talented students receive recognition and support to continue their education.
5. Assist students in meeting their educational expenses, including tuition fees, books, and other essential academic costs.

Key Features of the Junior Merit Scholarship

• The scholarship is awarded to meritorious students in Class XI & XII in Higher Secondary Schools across Odisha.
• Both SAMS and Non-SAMS schools including CBSE, ICSE, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and other recognized institutions are eligible to participate.
• A total of 10,000 scholarships will be awarded annually, with a 50:50 ratio for boys and girls.
• The scholarship amount is provided for two years, covering both Class XI and XII.
• Selection is based on academic merit in Class X Board examinations and parental income criteria.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Scholarship Amount

• Each selected student will receive ₹3,000 per year.
• The scholarship is designed to meet a part of the educational expenses of higher secondary students.
• Disbursement will be done through DBT, ensuring timely and secure transfer of funds to the student’s bank account.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Junior Merit Scholarship, students must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
2. Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class X with 60% or more marks in institutions recognized by BSE Odisha, CBSE, ICSE, or equivalent boards.
3. Parental Income: Annual parental income should not exceed ₹6 lakh from all sources.
4. Course Enrollment: Must be pursuing regular Class XI courses in recognized Higher Secondary Schools of Odisha.
5. Fresh Applicants: Students must apply in the first year of higher secondary education (Class XI).
6. Exclusions:
   • Students enrolled in distance learning or correspondence programs.
   • Students already receiving scholarships under any other State or Central Government scheme.
   • Students studying abroad.
   • Applications not validated by the Principal/Head of the Institution will be rejected.

Reservation Policy

• The scholarship ensures gender parity, awarding scholarships to boys and girls in a 50:50 ratio.
• If sufficient candidates of a particular gender are not available, the remaining scholarships will be allocated to eligible students of the other gender.

Distribution of Scholarships

• A total of 10,000 scholarships are available annually.
• Allocation is based on descending order of merit, determined by Class X examination marks.
• In case of a tie in marks, parental income will be considered, with preference given to students from families with lower income.
• CGPA grades for CBSE/ICSE students will be converted to percentages using the formula:
  Percentage (%) = CGPA × 9.5

Application Process – Step by Step

Step 1: Registration

1. Eligible students need to register online through the State Scholarship Portal.
2. Aadhaar Card authentication is mandatory to avoid duplication.
3. Students studying outside Odisha but belonging to the state are also eligible to apply.

Step 2: Online Application

1. Fill in all necessary details such as personal information, academic marks, parental income, and bank account details.
2. Upload the following documents in clear format:
   • Domicile Certificate issued by competent authority (Tahasildar/Addl. Tahasildar)
   • Proof of annual income
   • Class X mark sheet & certificate
   • Higher Secondary School ID / admission receipt / library card / letter of undertaking
   • Bank account passbook (first page)
   • Aadhaar Card
3. Submit the application online before the deadline.

Step 3: Verification & Authentication

1. The Principal/Head of the Higher Secondary School will verify all details, including parental income, marks, bank account details, and documents.
2. Only authenticated applications will be considered for merit list preparation.
3. If a student applies multiple times, only a single validated record will be processed.

Step 4: Merit List Preparation

1. The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education will prepare the merit list based on verified applications.
2. Students are ranked in descending order of marks.
3. Tie-breaking is done by considering parental income.

Step 5: Scholarship Disbursement

1. Approved students will receive the scholarship amount via DBT to their bank account.
2. Bank account must be active, in the student’s name, and support electronic transfers.
3. Scholarship will be automatically renewed for Class XII if the student continues in the higher secondary course and is authenticated by the Principal.

Renewal of Scholarship

• Students continuing to Class XII will have their scholarship automatically renewed.
• Principals are responsible for authenticating eligible students for renewal.
• Students who drop out or fail to continue in Class XII will have their scholarship discontinued.

Cancellation of Scholarship

The scholarship may be cancelled under the following circumstances:

1. Submission of false or fabricated documents.
2. Discontinuation of studies before completion.
3. Violation of eligibility criteria during the course period.
4. Unauthorized multiple applications or incorrect information.

Role and Responsibility of Stakeholders

Higher Secondary Schools

• Verify authenticity of student details and documents.
• Ensure only genuine and eligible students are authenticated.
• Responsible for validating records within the defined timeline.

Directorate of Higher Secondary Education

• Invite online applications and provide necessary information.
• Scrutinize validated data received from schools.
• Prepare merit list and disburse scholarships via DBT.

OCAC and Service Providers

• Provide technical support for the online portal.
• Facilitate data uploading, validation, and merit list generation.
• Ensure smooth functioning of the scholarship application and disbursement process.

Key Benefits of Junior Merit Scholarship

• Financial assistance reduces the economic burden on families.
• Encourages meritorious students to pursue higher secondary education with confidence.
• Promotes gender equality in scholarship distribution.
• Supports students from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural and marginalized communities.
• Simplified online application process ensures transparency and timely disbursement.