Odisha Govt To Raise Education Loan Limit From This Year; Also Learn About Sudakshya Aid

Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education department has decided to raise the loan amount under Kalinga Sikhya Sathi Yojana from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh from 2023-24 academic session, source said on Saturday.

The income ceiling of parents under this education loan (interest subvention) scheme, launched in 2016-17, will be increased to Rs 8 lakh from Rs 6 lakh. This will not just cover students studying in the state but also those pursuing higher studies abroad.

The existing students, who have availed the interest subvention under the scheme, will be excluded from it.

The sources further said that the revamp may cost the government Rs 25 crore for five years.

To achieve 30 per cent enrolment of girls in government engineering schools/polytechnics, the state government has also decided to extend financial support to girl students pursuing diploma courses under its ‘Sudakshya’ scheme.

According to guidelines issued by the Skill Development and Technical Education department, the scheme will be for three years from 2023-24 session and a maintenance allowance of Rs 1,500 per month and Rs 500 per month will be provided to hostellers and day scholars respectively for a period of 10 months in a year.

It is applicable for general category students taking admission in government engineering schools/polytechnics in 2023-24 and 2025-26 academic years and will also cover admission fees of Rs 2,800 per student, one-time financial support of Rs 5,000 for post-diploma placement outside the state and hostel seat rent of Rs 3,000 per student.

Those currently in the second and third year of the courses will also be eligible for the aid.