Junior Merit Scholarship 2026-27: Eligibility, Last Date, Amount and How to Apply
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The Odisha Junior Merit Scholarship 2026-27 application deadline is 25 October 2026, according to the current information available for this application cycle. Eligible students should submit their form through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal and follow up with their school or institution to ensure the application is validated.
The scholarship is intended for eligible Odisha residents who have passed Class 10 and are studying in Class 11. It is not a scholarship open to every student across India. Read the eligibility conditions carefully before applying.
Deadline reminder: The student application deadline and the institution-validation deadline are separate. The published schedule cited by education notices lists 31 October 2026 for school validation. Check the live portal and your institution for any revised schedule before relying on these dates.
Junior Merit Scholarship 2026-27: Key Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Junior Merit Scholarship (under e-Medhabruti) |
| State | Odisha |
| Responsible department | School & Mass Education Department, Government of Odisha |
| Implementing authority | Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Odisha |
| Eligible fresh applicants | Eligible students entering Class 11 |
| Minimum Class 10 marks | 60% |
| Annual family income limit | Not more than ₹6 lakh |
| Scholarship amount | ₹3,000 per year |
| Duration | Two years: Class 11 and Class 12 |
| Total support if renewed for both years | ₹6,000 |
| Number of scholarships | 10,000, with a 50:50 allocation for boys and girls |
| Application mode | Online |
| Student application deadline | 25 October 2026 — recheck the portal for updates |
| Institution validation deadline | 31 October 2026 — confirm with the school and portal |
| Official application portal | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
The scheme provides financial assistance towards education expenses. Selection is competitive: meeting the minimum eligibility conditions does not guarantee that a student will receive an award.
Junior Merit Scholarship 2026-27 Last Date
The current application schedule reported for the 2026-27 cycle gives 25 October 2026 as the last date for students to submit fresh applications. The institution-validation deadline is reported as 31 October 2026.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application opens | 20 August 2026 |
| Last date for student application | 25 October 2026 |
| Reported last date for school/institution validation | 31 October 2026 |
Because dates can be revised, confirm the latest notice on the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal before submitting. Do not wait until the final evening: you may need time to correct a document, resolve Aadhaar authentication issues or contact your institution.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
A fresh applicant should check every condition below before starting the form:
- Odisha residence: The student must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
- Class 10 marks: The student must have passed HSC/Class 10 with at least 60% marks from BSE Odisha, CBSE, ICSE or an equivalent recognised board.
- Current course: The student must be pursuing a regular Class 11 course under the 10+2 system.
- Family income: Parents’ total annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹6 lakh.
- Fresh application year: A new applicant must apply in the first year of the course, Class 11.
- School verification: The application must be authenticated or validated by the concerned school/institution.
The scheme guidelines describe eligibility for students from General, SC, ST, OBC/SEBC and EBC categories. Students should still follow the category and eligibility options shown on the live portal.
Can CBSE and ICSE Students Apply?
Yes, the scheme guidelines include Class 10 qualifications from CBSE, ICSE and equivalent recognised boards. The student must also meet the Odisha residence, income, regular-course and other conditions.
Can an Odisha Student Studying Outside Odisha Apply?
The scheme information says Odisha students studying outside the state may also apply online. However, the institution and course details must be accepted during the portal’s verification process. If you attend a school outside Odisha, confirm your case with the scholarship helpdesk or institution before assuming that the application will be accepted.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The scheme guidelines list the following exclusions:
- Students pursuing higher studies through distance learning or correspondence.
- Students already receiving a scholarship for their studies under another State or Central Government scheme.
- Students studying abroad.
- Students whose records are not validated by the concerned Principal or institution.
- Students submitting multiple applications in the same merit category.
Read the scheme guidelines and portal instructions for the complete rules applicable to your case.
Scholarship Amount and Duration
Selected students receive ₹3,000 per year. The award is intended to cover two academic years—Class 11 and Class 12—so the total can be ₹6,000 if the student continues to meet the conditions and the renewal is validated.
The scheme provides 10,000 scholarships, with a 50:50 allocation for boys and girls. If the required number of eligible applicants is not available in one group, the scheme guidelines allow the remaining awards to be allocated to eligible applicants in the other group.
How Are Students Selected?
The Junior Merit Scholarship is based on academic merit; it does not require a separate scholarship entrance examination or interview under the published scheme criteria.
The general process is:
- The student submits the online application with accurate details.
- The school or institution checks and validates the application and records.
- Eligible, validated applications are considered for the merit list using Class 10 marks.
- Awards are allocated within the scheme’s available number of scholarships and gender allocation.
- Where applicants have the same percentage and the available seats are limited, the scheme guidelines give preference to the student with lower parental income.
A minimum of 60% makes a student eligible to apply; it does not guarantee selection. I could not verify a fixed official cut-off for the 2026-27 cycle, so avoid relying on unofficial predicted cut-offs.
How to Convert CGPA to Percentage
If your marksheet shows CGPA instead of a percentage, use the conversion method prescribed by your examination board and accepted by the scholarship portal. A conversion of CGPA × 9.5 is commonly used for CBSE CGPA calculations, but do not automatically apply it to every board or grading system.
For example, if your board’s official rules specifically require multiplying CGPA by 9.5:
| CGPA | Calculated percentage |
|---|---|
| 6.4 | 60.8% |
| 7.0 | 66.5% |
| 8.0 | 76.0% |
| 9.0 | 85.5% |
| 10.0 | 95.0% |
Confirm the applicable formula with your board and the portal instructions. Enter marks exactly as required by the form; do not estimate or change your result to meet the minimum.
Documents Required for the Application
Keep the following documents and information ready. The exact upload fields shown in your portal login should be treated as the final checklist.
- Student’s Aadhaar details for the required authentication.
- Odisha residence/domicile certificate, as required by the guidelines. The scheme guidelines describe an alternative residence proof for children of Odisha State Government employees.
- Income certificate issued by an authorised revenue officer.
- Class 10/HSC marksheet and certificate.
- Student’s bank account details, including account number and IFSC; keep the relevant passbook page ready if requested.
- Higher Secondary School identity card or another accepted proof of admission, such as an admission receipt, library card or school undertaking, where required.
Use clear, complete documents. Make sure the student’s name and other details match across the application, marksheet, Aadhaar and bank records. Do not upload a document that is cropped, unreadable or altered.
Bank-account caution: Follow the live portal and scheme instructions about account ownership and bank eligibility. Do not assume a parent’s account will be accepted; confirm that the account details entered meet the scheme’s requirements.
How to Apply Online for Junior Merit Scholarship 2026-27
Apply only through the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal (scholarship.odisha.gov.in). The portal’s labels may change slightly, so follow the current on-screen instructions.
- Open the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
- Choose the student registration or login option.
- If you are a new user, register using the details requested by the portal and complete the required Aadhaar authentication.
- Log in and find Junior Merit Scholarship under the available schemes.
- Read the scheme conditions before proceeding.
- Enter your personal details, Class 10 marks, school/course information, family income and bank details.
- Upload the documents requested by the portal.
- Preview the entire application. Check spelling, marks, percentage, income, account number and IFSC carefully.
- Submit the application before the published deadline and save the acknowledgement or application number.
- Contact your school or institution to confirm that it has received and validated your application before its deadline.
Important: Online submission alone may not complete the process. The scheme guidelines say applications that are not validated/authenticated by the institution are treated as invalid. Keep your acknowledgement and follow up with the school rather than assuming the form is complete.
There is no reason to pay an agent simply to access the official online form. Use the official portal and contact the listed helpdesk if you face a technical issue.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before submitting, check that you have not:
- Entered incorrect Class 10 marks, percentage or parental income.
- Used a CGPA conversion that is not accepted by your board or the portal.
- Submitted more than one application in the same merit category.
- Entered incorrect bank details or an account that does not meet the scheme rules.
- Uploaded unclear, incomplete or mismatched documents.
- Assumed that meeting the 60% minimum guarantees selection.
- Forgotten to ask the school or institution to validate the application.
- Assumed that the application is complete simply because it was submitted online.
Incorrect information can affect eligibility or merit ranking. Review the form before final submission and retain a copy of the acknowledgement.
Junior Merit Scholarship Renewal for Class 12
Students who were awarded the scholarship in Class 11 should follow the renewal process for Class 12 rather than submit a new fresh application. Renewal depends on continued study and institutional validation. The Directorate’s instructions for the 2026-27 cycle have described renewal validation through the institution login for previous awardees.
If you received the scholarship last year, ask your school to confirm that your renewal record is available and has been validated. Do not assume that renewal is complete without checking with the institution.
How Is the Scholarship Paid?
The scheme provides ₹3,000 per year. Payment and bank verification are handled through the government’s scholarship process, subject to approval and the requirements of the scheme. Keep your bank account active and check the account details you entered in the application.
The exact payment date for an individual student should not be assumed unless it has been announced through an official notice or shown in the portal. If your application is approved but payment has not arrived, first check the portal status and then contact your institution or the official helpdesk.
How to Check Junior Merit Scholarship Application Status
To check your application status:
- Open the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
- Find the Know Your Status or equivalent status-check option.
- Enter the application details requested on the page, such as your application number or Aadhaar details.
- Complete OTP verification if the portal asks for it.
- Read the status displayed and follow any instructions shown.
If the status is unclear, contact your school’s scholarship coordinator or the official helpdesk. Never share an OTP or Aadhaar information with an unofficial agent.
Junior Merit Scholarship Helpline
For portal or application assistance, the scheme guidance lists these Sanjog helpline numbers:
- 155335
- 1800-345-6770 (toll-free)
If a number does not connect, check the latest contact details on the official State Scholarship Portal, as helpline information can change.
Other Scholarships and Education Updates in Odisha
Students looking for additional education support can also read these guides on our website:
- Odisha NMMS Scholarship 2026-27
- Odisha Gyanodaya Scheme
- DHSE Odisha Phase-III e-Admission 2026-27
- Education and Scholarships
- PM-SETU Scheme 2026: ₹60,000 Crore ITI Upgrade Plan, Latest Approvals and Student Guide
The Pathani Samanta Mathematics Talent Scholarship is another scheme listed for eligible students on the State Scholarship Portal. Check its separate eligibility conditions and deadline before applying. Do not assume that the rules or scholarship amount are the same as the Junior Merit Scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for Junior Merit Scholarship 2026-27?
The reported last date for student applications is 25 October 2026. The reported institution-validation deadline is 31 October 2026. Confirm both dates on the official portal before submitting.
How much is the Junior Merit Scholarship?
Selected students receive ₹3,000 per year for Class 11 and Class 12, subject to renewal and validation. The total over two years is ₹6,000.
What is the minimum percentage for the scholarship?
Students must have at least 60% in Class 10/HSC from an eligible recognised board. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection.
What is the family income limit?
The parents’ total annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹6 lakh.
Can General category students apply?
Yes. The published scheme information includes General, SC, ST, OBC/SEBC and EBC categories, subject to all other eligibility conditions.
Can CBSE or ICSE students apply?
Yes, if they meet the residence, marks, income, regular Class 11 and other scheme conditions.
Can a student in Class 12 apply as a fresh applicant?
Fresh applications are for Class 11. Students who received the award in Class 11 should check the Class 12 renewal process with their institution.
Is selection guaranteed with 60% marks?
No. Sixty per cent is the minimum eligibility requirement. Selection depends on merit among eligible applications that have been validated and on the number of available awards.
Can I receive another government scholarship at the same time?
The scheme guidelines list students already availing a scholarship under another State or Central Government scheme among those not eligible. Check the current scheme rules if you receive another award.
Can an Odisha resident studying outside the state apply?
The scheme information says Odisha students studying outside the state may apply online. Confirm that your institution and course can be verified through the portal before proceeding.
What should I do after submitting the form?
Save your acknowledgement and contact your school or institution to ensure your application is validated within the required timeline.
Final Checklist Before You Apply
- Confirm that you are an Odisha resident and meet the Class 10, income and course conditions.
- Use the official State Scholarship Portal.
- Keep your documents and bank details ready.
- Review every entry before final submission.
- Save the acknowledgement/application number.
- Ask your school to validate the application.
- Recheck the deadline and any revised instructions on the official portal.
Official sources: myScheme: Junior Merit Scholarship
Subhadra-yojanain.com is an independent information website and is not affiliated with the Government of Odisha. Always use the official portal for applications and final confirmation of scheme rules.
