Odisha CM launches scholarship scheme for UG, PG students

• The ‘Nutana Unnata Abhilasha Odisha’ scholarship scheme aims to empower the youth of Odisha youth and help them to carry forward their studies

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on February 26, 2024 launched a scholarship scheme for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students. The ‘Nutana Unnata Abhilasha Odisha’ scheme aims to empower the State’s youth and help them to carry forward their studies.

Chief Minister Patnaik launched the scholarship scheme via video-conferencing, while senior official V K Pandian joined the programme in Sambalpur, Angul and Deogarh. Interacting with the students from 57 colleges, Pandian said that the scholarship amount for General and OBC students is Rs 9,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively, while for SC/ST and ‘Nirman Shramik’ students, it is 10,000 and Rs 11,000, respectively. He added that all eligible students would be getting the scholarship amount in their bank accounts by March 5. A total of 28,112 students from the three districts received the scholarship amount in their bank accounts on February 26, 2024.

Pandian, the chairman of Nabin Odisha, said the State government’s next initiative would be the ‘Nabin Odisha Magic Card’, a points-based smart card that would engage and empower the youth and help them in academic development, personality development, skill development and employment.

Noting that this card would be a “passport to prosperity”, he said that based on points earned through various activities and parameters, the cards would be upgraded to ‘Silver’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Platinum’ levels. These cards would provide access to various facilities such as concession in fares of bus, train and flight tickets, phone recharge, online academic courses, tuition classes, “earn while you learn” opportunities, volunteering opportunities and access to stadiums during the national and international matches, among others, he said.