Junior Merit Scholarship – Application Timeline
Students eligible for Junior Merit Scholarship must be familiar with the application dates. The state authorities have revised the application timeline for the scholarship. Eligible candidates can now apply for the scholarship till January 15, 2026 by visiting Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
Junior Merit Scholarship – Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship, students must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a permanent resident of Odisha
- Must be enrolled in Class 11 or Class 12 (Plus Two)
- Must have scored at least 60% marks in the last board examination
- Annual family income must not exceed ₹6 lakh
- Students must apply for the Junior Merit Scholarship in the first year of the course (Class XI)
Exclusions
The following students shall not be eligible for Junior Merit Scholarship:
- Students pursuing studies through distance learning or correspondence
- Students already receiving scholarships under any State or Central Government scheme
- Students studying abroad
- Students not validated by the concerned Principal/Institution during Class XI (first year of admission)
Junior Merit Scholarship – Application Process
Step 1: Visit the Odisha State Scholarship Portal and click on the Registration link.
Step 3: Check your registered mobile/email for the generated User ID and password
Step 4: Login to the portal using your User ID and password
Step 5: Fill in all required details: personal, academic, eligibility, and bank information
Step 6: Save the form as draft or proceed to the next step
Step 7: Preview the completed application form, download it and take a printout
Step 8: Keep a copy of the submitted application for future reference
Junior Merit Scholarship – Benefits
- Each selected student receives ₹3,000 per year
- Scholarship is provided for two years (Class 11 and Class 12)
- A total of 10,000 scholarships are awarded annually
- Scholarships are equally distributed between boys and girls (50:50)
Documents Required for Junior Merit Scholarship
- Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Domicile certificate issued by the Tahasildar/Addl. Tahasildar (or residence proof from employer for Odisha State Govt. employees)
- Annual income certificate issued by Revenue Officer (not below the rank of Tahasildar/Addl. Tahasildar)
- Mark sheet and certificate of last qualifying exam (HSC) from BSE Odisha/CBSE/ICSE or equivalent board
- Student’s bank account details (first page of passbook with account number and IFSC)
- Higher Secondary School ID card or admission receipt/library card/undertaking letter from school authority
FAQs
Who is eligible for the Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship?
The Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship is open to permanent residents of Odisha who are studying in Class 11 or 12 in a recognized school, have secured at least 60% in Class 10, belong to any category and whose family income does not exceed ₹6 lakh.
What is the minimum percentage of marks required to apply for the Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship?
The student must have passed HSC with 60% or more marks from a recognized institution (BSE Odisha, CBSE, ICSE, or equivalent boards) and be pursuing regular Class XI courses of 10+2.
What is the Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship amount under the scheme?
Students pursuing Class 11 and 12 in the Higher Secondary Schools of the state will receive a scholarship of ₹3,000 per year.
Can students from CBSE or ICSE boards apply?
Yes, students who passed Class 10 from CBSE, ICSE, BSE Odisha, or any recognized equivalent board are eligible if they fulfill the minimum percentage and other conditions.
Is the scholarship applicable for distance or correspondence courses?
No, students pursuing education through distance learning or correspondence mode are not eligible. Only students enrolled in regular Class 11 or Class 12 courses can apply.