Students Welfare / Odisha Government Announces Stipend for OUAT PG and PhD Students

Bhubaneswar, Aug 3: In a significant move to boost agricultural education and research, the Odisha government has announced monthly stipends for postgraduate (PG) and PhD students of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

Under the new scheme, PG students will receive a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for two years, while PhD researchers will be granted ₹15,000 per month for three years.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment, and Energy, KV Singh Deo, aims to encourage young researchers to focus on innovation without financial constraints.

Also read: Odisha to Introduce Free Mutual Fund Certification in Colleges, Universities

Singhdeo emphasized that investing in young researchers is equivalent to securing the future of Odisha’s farmers. “By supporting our students, we are ensuring that they can dedicate themselves to research and innovation without worrying about financial burdens,” he stated.

The stipend will be applicable to regular students enrolled in agriculture and allied subjects at OUAT. Officials highlighted that the scheme’s primary objective is to promote quality research, nurture talent, and strengthen the state’s agricultural sector.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by the academic community, with experts noting that financial support will motivate students to pursue advanced studies and contribute to solving pressing challenges in agriculture.

The move is expected to enhance OUAT’s role as a hub for agricultural innovation and research in eastern India.

Earlier, the state government has launched a free certificate programme on mutual funds for commerce, management, and economics students across state-run colleges and universities.

The 30-hour course will cover BCom, BBA, BMS, BA (Economics/Commerce), MBA, and MCom students, equipping them with industry-oriented knowledge of financial markets and investment products.

It also prepares participants for the NISM Series V-A Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination, a nationally recognised credential. The Higher Education Department will sign an MoU with NSE India Ltd, with Talent Skillsversity as the implementation partner, aiming to boost financial literacy and employability in the BFSI sector.