Empowering students: Nua-O Scholarship scheme launched in Odisha

Jajpur: In a significant move towards fostering education and empowering students, the Odisha government has launched Nua-O Scholarships for students enrolled in General Degree and Post-Graduate (PG) programs in State universities, Govt and non-govt. Aided colleges including aided Sanskrit colleges under Higher education Department.
Kartik Pandian, Chairman of 5T, while participating in the Nua-O Fest and engaging with students from colleges across Jajpur district, shed light on the monumental decision taken by the State Government to introduce the Nua-O Scholarships.
This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in General Degree and Post-Graduate programs in various educational institutions across the state of Odisha.
Under the scheme, male students will receive a minimum scholarship amount of Rs. 9,000 per year, while female students will receive Rs. 10,000 per year. Moreover, students belonging to eligible SC/ST and Nirman Shramik families will receive enhanced scholarships of Rs. 10,000 (Male) and Rs. 11,000 (Female) per annum. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens and facilitate equal access to education for all deserving students.
However, certain criteria have been put in place to ensure the scholarship reaches those who need it the most. Students whose parents are Income Tax payees or permanent government employees are exempted from the scheme. This measure ensures that the assistance is directed towards economically disadvantaged students who require support to pursue their educational aspirations.
The disbursement process for the current academic year will commence from February 20th onwards, ensuring timely support to eligible students. Additionally, a Nua-O Corpus fund of Rs. 300 crore will be established from the upcoming academic year, providing further opportunities for students excelling in academics and co-curricular activities to receive higher scholarship amounts.
Furthermore, by August, eligible students will be provided with the Nua-O Magic Smart Card, unlocking a myriad of additional benefits. These benefits include access to bus/train travel, free Wi-Fi, online courses, skill development programs, and coaching initiatives based on academic performance and participation in extracurricular activities.
Kartik Pandian emphasized that this initiative marks a new era of student empowerment envisioned by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik towards realizing the vision of Nabin Odisha. He encouraged students to dream big and work diligently to achieve their goals, assuring them of the government’s unwavering support in their educational journey.
It is estimated that approximately 4.5 lakh undergraduate students and 32,000 postgraduate students will benefit from the Nua-O Scholarship scheme, underscoring its significance in facilitating inclusive and accessible education across Odisha.