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

✦ Summary

Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena (2022) paid 100% tuition at top-100 and 50% at rank 101-200 universities for AP students with family income up to ₹8 lakh. Its 2026 status is unconfirmed: AP relaunched Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi in 2025.

Sharleen Kapoor

9 min read • Oct 29, 2026

Current Status in 2026: What We Could and Could Not Verify

The scheme began as the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena, with guidelines issued on 11 July 2022, as reported by ThePrint. After the change of government in 2024, some sites say it was renamed NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena, but we could not find an official order confirming a rename or any 2026 notification. The AP government did relaunch the Ambedkar Overseas Education Scheme in April 2025, as reported by The Hans India. Applications run through jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in; always read the live notice for the current name, amount and dates before you plan around this scheme.

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.

Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena 2026: Key Facts

Detail Scholarships Not eligible for this scholarship? See other scholarships you qualify for. Check Scholarship Eligibility Explore global scholarship options	Information
Scheme name	Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena (guidelines issued 11 July 2022). Some sites call it NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena; we could not confirm an official rename
Target students	SC, ST, BC, Minority and EBC students, including Kapu, from Andhra Pradesh
Eligible courses	PG (Master degree), PhD, MBBS (UG only for MBBS)
Top-100 universities	100% of tuition fees (2022 guidelines)
Rank 101-200 universities	50% of tuition fees (2022 guidelines)
Additional coverage	One-way economy airfare (lowest fare, shortest route) and visa fee reimbursement
Maximum scholarship amount	Not verified: sources quote different caps (₹1.5 crore in earlier versions of this guide, ₹50 lakh on other sites); check the current G.O.
Income eligibility	Annual family income up to ₹8 lakh (reported across sources; confirm in the current notice)
Age limit	Maximum 35 years on the date of the official notification (reported; confirm in the current notice)
Family restriction	Only one candidate per family
Application portal	jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in
Notification timing	Twice a year per the 2022 guidelines: September to December and January to May. No confirmed 2026 dates found

Details are from the 2022 guidelines and widely repeated eligibility rules. Verify current details at jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in.

Scholarship Benefits in Detail

Benefit	Details
Tuition fees (top 100 universities)	100% of annual tuition fees, for universities in the top 100 of the latest QS World University Rankings.
Tuition fees (rank 101-200 universities)	50% of annual tuition fees for universities ranked 101-200.
Maximum total scholarship	Not verified: check the current government order for the cap per student.
Airfare	One-way economy class ticket on the lowest fare, shortest route, paid after visa and admission are verified.
Visa fees	Visa fees reimbursed on proof of a valid visa and fee receipts. The sanction proceedings can be used when applying for a visa.
Disbursement	PG tuition is paid in four equal installments to the student’s bank account.
Living expenses	Not the main focus: the scheme is built around tuition, airfare and visa fees.

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

Rankings change every year, so check the latest QS World University Rankings at topuniversities.com for your target university; the ranking used is the one current at the time of the application cycle. Some newer reports mention a stricter top-50 cutoff for the relaunched Ambedkar scheme, which we could not verify.

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 generally accepted; confirm in the current notice.

How to Apply for Jagananna / NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena 2026

Here is the online application process on the Jnanabhumi portal:

Step	Action
1. Watch for notification	The Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Department releases the notification on jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in. Under the 2022 guidelines this happens twice a 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.

Under the 2022 guidelines, notifications are issued in September to December and January to May. We could not confirm 2026 dates, so apply as early as possible once the notice goes live and do not wait for 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)

Vidya Deevena vs Videshi Vidya Deevena

Many people searching for “Vidya Deevena” mean the domestic fee reimbursement scheme. This page covers the overseas scheme only.

Scheme	Who It Is For
Jagananna Vidya Deevena (domestic)	Fee reimbursement for students studying in India; this is a different scheme and not covered here
Videshi Vidya Deevena (overseas)	PG, PhD and MBBS students admitted to top-200 universities abroad
Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi	Overseas scheme relaunched by the AP government in 2024 and 2025; check the current notice for amount and ranking cutoff

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?

You must be a native of Andhra Pradesh with an annual family income not exceeding INR 8 lakh. You must also belong to the SC, ST, BC, Minority or EBC communities, including Kapu, with an admission to a top-200 university for a PG, PhD or MBBS course.

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

The award depends on the university’s ranking and tuition: 100% of tuition for top-100 universities and 50% for ranks 101-200, plus airfare and visa fees. Sources quote different maximum caps, so check the current government order or the Jnanabhumi notice.

What are the benefits of the Vidya Deevena Scheme?

The Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena Scheme covers student tuition, travel (one-way airfare) and visa fees.

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

Yes. Students over the age of 35 on the date of the official notification are not eligible.

Is Videshi Vidya Deevena still active in 2026?

We could not find an official 2026 notification. The AP government relaunched the Ambedkar Overseas Education Scheme in April 2025, and some sites say the Videshi Vidya Deevena was renamed NTR Videshi Vidya Deevena, but we could not confirm this from an official order. Check jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in for the live notice.

What is the release date or last date for Videshi Vidya Deevena 2026?

No confirmed 2026 dates are available. The 2022 guidelines said notifications are issued twice a year, in September to December and January to May. Watch the Jnanabhumi portal for the current notice.

Is Vidya Deevena the same as Videshi Vidya Deevena?

No. Jagananna Vidya Deevena is the domestic fee reimbursement scheme for students studying in India, while Videshi Vidya Deevena is the overseas scheme covered on this page.

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