Bhubaneswar, Aug. 23 -- The Odisha government on Sunday launched the "Bidesh Sikhyabruti" scholarship scheme to provide financial assistance to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students aspiring to pursue higher education at top-ranked global universities, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) announced on Saturday.

According to a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), under the new initiative, 50 meritorious students from the SC and ST communities will be selected annually to enrol in academic programs at prestigious international institutions ranked among the Top 200 in the QS World University Rankings.

Each beneficiary under the scheme will receive financial assistance of up to Rs 25 lakh per annum. The s...