- be a domicile in Odisha
- belong to the General/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/ Scheduled Caste (SC)/Other Backward Classes (OBC)/Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC)/Economically Backward Class (EBC) category
For Undergraduates:
- be enrolled in UG (Arts) degree with Odia as honours subject in a recognised degree college/autonomous college or university within Odisha or other states
- have obtained a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate in Class 12 examination, conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Odisha
For Postgraduates:
- have taken admission in M.A. course (Odia) in the state university/degree college or autonomous college of the state or other states
- have obtained a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate at undergraduate level, conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Odisha
Note:- Students pursuing higher education through distance learning or correspondence courses are ineligible for this scholarship.