Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena Scholarship 2026: Application Process, Eligibility and More

Sharleen Kapoor

9 min read • Jul 14, 2026

After the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance came to power in Andhra Pradesh in 2024, the scheme was renamed from ‘Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena’ to ‘NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena’. The scheme itself – its benefits, eligibility, and application process – continues unchanged under the new name. Both names refer to the same scholarship. Applications continue through jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in. Source: egovtschemes.com (May 2026).

The Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena is a flagship scholarship scheme initiated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to financially support students from SC/ST/BC/Minority/EBC including Kapu communities who wish to pursue higher education abroad. Launched on 11th July 2022 by the Social Welfare Department, the scheme provides funding for PG, PhD, and MBBS courses at top global universities.

In 2023 alone, more than 350 students from Andhra Pradesh received over Rs 45 crore through this scholarship – demonstrating the scale and seriousness of the programme.

Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena 2026 – Key Facts

Detail	Information
Current scheme name	NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena (formerly Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena)
Launched by	Social Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh (July 11, 2022)
Target students	SC, ST, BC, Minority, EBC including Kapu students from Andhra Pradesh
Eligible courses	PG (Master degree), PhD, MBBS (UG only for MBBS)
Maximum scholarship amount	Up to Rs 1.5 crore (covers tuition fees and other relevant costs)
Top-100 university students	100% of tuition fees covered
Rank 101-200 university students	50% of tuition fees covered
Additional coverage	One-way economy airfare (lowest fare, shortest route) + visa fees reimbursement
Income eligibility	Annual family income not exceeding Rs 8 lakh per annum
Age limit	Maximum 35 years as of date of official notification
Family restriction	Only one candidate per family eligible to apply
Women/disabled reservation	33% reserved for women candidates; 3% reserved for specially abled candidates
Application portal	jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in
Application windows	August 1 to September 30; January 1 to February 29 (last day varies)
Application mode	Both online and offline applications accepted
Impact (2023)	350+ students; Rs 45 crore+ disbursed

All information verified against GradRight original article, TheScholarship.in (May 2025), Fly.Finance (March 2025), JaagrukBharat (2024), and egovtschemes.com (May 2026). Verify current details at jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in.

Scholarship Benefits in Detail

Benefit	Details
Tuition fees (Top 100 universities)	100% of annual tuition fees covered. Examples: MIT, Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford (verified via QS rankings at topuniversities.com).
Tuition fees (Rank 101-200 universities)	50% of annual tuition fees covered for universities ranked between 101-200 in QS World University Rankings.
Maximum total scholarship	Up to Rs 1.5 crore per student (covering tuition for the full duration of the program)
Airfare	One-way economy class ticket on the lowest fare, shortest route. Payable after the student produces a valid visa.
Visa fees	Total visa fees reimbursed. Sanction Proceedings (the scholarship approval letter) can be used when applying for a visa at the embassy – a practical benefit that makes the visa process smoother.
Disbursement schedule	4 installments: (1) After I-94 receipt (arrival in USA/destination country), (2) Semester 1 completion, (3) Semester 2 completion, (4) Final marksheet submission
Living expenses	Covered to some extent depending on university and course; primary focus is tuition and the specific benefits above

Eligibility Criteria for Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena 2026

Eligibility Criterion	Requirement
Residence	Must be a permanent resident or native of Andhra Pradesh. Residents of Telangana are NOT eligible.
Community	Must belong to SC, ST, BC, Minority, or EBC including Kapu community
Income	Annual family income must not exceed Rs 8 lakh per annum. Salary certificate from employer mandatory if any family member is employed.
Age	Maximum 35 years as of the date of the official public notification
University ranking	Must have secured admission to one of the top 200 universities as per the latest QS World University Rankings OR Times Higher Education world rankings
Course level	PG (Master degree) or PhD in eligible subject areas; MBBS for undergraduate (exception for medicine)
Academic performance	Minimum 60% marks in last qualifying examination (some sources cite different minimums; verify at jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in)
Family restriction	Only one candidate per family. If a sibling previously received this scholarship, you are not eligible.
Other scholarship restriction	Should not have availed any other scholarship for the same purpose
Eligible subjects	21 broad categories including: Engineering, Management, Pure Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Medicine and Nursing, Social Sciences, Humanities, and more

Eligible Courses Under the Scholarship

The scholarship covers postgraduate and PhD programs in 21 broad subject categories. Eligible subjects include:

Engineering and Technology
Management
Pure Sciences
Agricultural Sciences
Medicine and Nursing (PG level; MBBS at UG level is also covered)
Social Sciences
Humanities
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and CPM (Certified Portfolio Manager) in the USA – treated as equivalent to CA/Cost Accounting
Other recognized subjects (verify the complete list of 21 categories at jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in)

Note: PG Diploma courses of 1-year and 1.5-year duration are also included in PG course eligibility. Verify current eligible course list at the official portal as this may be updated each cycle.

Also Read: Tata Scholarship Cornell University 2026: Eligibility and Application Guide

Which Universities Qualify for This Scholarship?

The scholarship covers universities ranked in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings. Examples of top-100 qualifying universities (100% tuition coverage):

Country	Top-100 Examples
USA	MIT, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, UCLA
UK	Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Edinburgh, King’s College London
Australia	University of Melbourne, UNSW, University of Sydney, ANU, Monash
Canada	University of Toronto, McGill, UBC
Germany	TU Munich, RWTH Aachen (check current QS rank)
Singapore	NUS, NTU

To verify if your target university qualifies, check the latest QS rankings at topuniversities.com. The ranking used is the most current QS World University Rankings at the time of the application cycle.

Documents Required for the Application

Document	Details
Caste certificate	From concerned Village/Ward Secretariat
Income certificate	From Tahsildar; or salary certificate from employer if any family member is employed
Qualifying certificate	Intermediate/Degree/PG certificate relevant to the course applied for
Admission letter	From the foreign university confirming your admission to PG/PhD/MBBS program
University ranking proof	Printout of QS or THE ranking showing your university in the top 200
Fee structure	Annual fee structure from the foreign university
Passport copy	Valid passport
Visa copy / approval letter	If already received; required before airfare disbursement
Residence proof	Proof of Andhra Pradesh domicile
Photographs	Recent passport-size photographs as specified in the application form
Bank account details	For scholarship disbursement into student or parent bank account
Affidavit	Notarized affidavit that you have not availed any other scholarship for the same purpose; and that only one candidate from the family is applying

If ITR (Income Tax Return) is not available, a Tahsildar income certificate plus a notarized affidavit is acceptable. Source: egovtschemes.com (May 2026).

How to Apply for Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena 2026

Applications are accepted both online and offline. Here is the online application process:

Step	Action
1. Watch for notification	The Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Department releases notification on jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in. Watch for it around August 1 each year.
2. Register on the portal	Visit jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in. New users must choose “New Registration”. Enter your email ID and mobile number to receive an OTP and set up your account.
3. Login and complete form	After account setup, log in and complete the application form with correct and verified information. Fill in all personal, academic, family income, and university details.
4. Upload documents	Attach all required documents in the specified size and format. Ensure all certificates are current and properly attested.
5. Submit application	After completing all sections and document uploads, press Submit. Save the acknowledgment receipt.
6. Track application status	Log back into your account to check the status of your application. The Social Welfare Department reviews and shortlists candidates.
7. Selection process	A State Level Screening Committee reviews applications. Selection is based on academic merit, economic need, and admission to a top-ranked university.
8. Disbursement	After selection, scholarship is released in 4 installments tied to academic progress milestones.

Application windows: August 1 to September 30 (first window) and January 1 to February 29/28 (second window, depending on the year). Apply as early as possible within the window – do not wait until the last day.

Selection Process

The selection process for the Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena Scholarship involves a thorough review of the application form, supporting documents, and eligibility criteria. The government gives preference to students who are in genuine financial need and have secured admission to top universities abroad.

The State Level Screening Committee, constituted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Department, shortlists candidates based on:

Completeness and accuracy of the application
Verification of eligibility criteria (residence, community, income)
University ranking (top 100 = 100% tuition; 101-200 = 50% tuition)
Academic merit (marks in qualifying examination)
Economic need (family income assessment)
33% of awards earmarked for women candidates; 3% for specially abled candidates

Even with This Scholarship, Most Students Need Additional Funding

The Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena scholarship is highly coveted and fiercely competitive. While it offers substantial financial assistance to select candidates – including full or partial tuition coverage for top-ranking universities – most students still find themselves in need of additional funding for living expenses, accommodation, food, health insurance beyond basic coverage, and personal expenses.

Even students who receive the scholarship typically need education loans or family savings to cover the non-tuition costs of studying abroad. Living expenses in the USA, UK, or Australia range from Rs 70,000-1,50,000/month. The scholarship covers tuition and airfare – not living costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena Scheme?

To be eligible for the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena Scheme, you must be a resident of Andhra Pradesh with an annual family income not exceeding INR 8 lakhs. You must also be a member of the SC, BC, ST, and EBC communities.

How much money does each student get through the Vidya Deevena Scheme?

The award amount for the Vidya Deevena Scheme varies for different students. The maximum limit per person is INR 1.5 crores, which covers tuition fees and other relevant costs.

What are the benefits of the Vidya Deevena Scheme?

The Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena Scheme covers student tuition, travel, and visa fees.

Is there any age restriction for applying for the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena Scheme?

Yes, there are age restrictions for applying for the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena Scheme. Students over the age of 35 aren’t eligible for the scholarship.