odisha-govt-launches-nua-o-scholarship-for-students-offers-min-annual-grant-of-rs-9-000

In a move ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the Odisha government has announced the introduction of the Nua-O scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

 

Under this initiative, male students will receive a minimum annual grant of Rs 9,000, while female students will be entitled to Rs 10,000. 

Moreover, male students from SC/ST and Nirman Shramik (construction worker) families will receive Rs 10,000, and female students from these categories will get Rs 11,000 annually.

 

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, as revealed by V K Pandian, chairperson of 5T (transformational initiative) and Nabin Odisha scheme, during the 'Nu-O festival' at Jajpur on Tuesday.

 

The Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) Odisha scheme aims to empower youth through continuous skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling opportunities. 

 

With a budget of Rs 385 crore spanning from 2023-24 to 2025-26 fiscals, the scheme will cover all 30 districts, focusing on tribal and remote areas.

 

Eligible students enrolled in undergraduate and post-graduate programs in state universities, government, and non-government aided colleges, including Sanskrit colleges under the Higher Education department, can benefit from the scholarship. 

 

However, students whose parents are Income Tax payees or permanent government employees will not be eligible for the scholarship.

 

The Nua-O scholarship for the current academic year will be disbursed directly into the bank accounts of eligible students starting from February 20. 

 

Additionally, a corpus of Rs 300 crore will be established, and by August, eligible students will receive Nua-O magic smart cards. These cards will provide access to additional benefits such as bus or train travel, free WiFi, online courses, skill development, and coaching programs.

 

Approximately 4.5 lakh undergraduate and 32,000 post-graduate students are expected to benefit from the Nua-O scholarship, marking a significant step towards realizing the CM's vision of 'Nabin Odisha' (New Odisha).