Home » Sustainable Development Goals » SDG1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere » 1.3.1 Bottom financial quintile admission target

Bottom financial quintile admission target

Yes, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University as a body have targets to admit students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group (or a more tightly defined target) in the country.

  • Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) was established by renowned educationist and Philanthropist, Prof. Achyuta Samanta in the year 1992-93 with a view to imparting holistic education to the marginalized tribal children from Standard – I to Post Graduation as well as Doctoral level research absolutely free of cost in a residential set up. More Details are available at https://university.kiss.ac.in/ 
  • Accorded Deemed University status by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), now Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India in August 2017, U/s 3 of UGC Act 1956,  Accredited with ‘A’ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2024. https://kiss.ac.in/impact/milestones/ 
  • Today Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University stands as the World’s first fully free residential University exclusively  for Indigenous students 

This commitment has created a unique space for empowering indigenous communities, where these students can pursue their academic dreams without financial barriers.

  • KISS-DU  was established with the aim to provide holistic education free of cost exclusively to indigenous students falling under below poverty line (BPL) category. The same is reflected in the Vision and Mission of the University as well. In an endeavour to adhere to it, KISS-DU follows an admission policy which strives to onboard students from the most economically as well as socially disadvantaged backgrounds, specifically targeting Indigenous students who fall within the bottom 20% of the household income group in India. 
  • Through this practice, KISS-DU supports individuals from low-income families and also addresses broader socio-economic disparities in education. This inclusive approach ensures that students from impoverished backgrounds have access to resources, knowledge, and opportunities, breaking cycles of poverty and empowering communities(SDG-1). In doing so, KISS-DU contributes to social mobility and fosters a diverse learning environment, furthering the goals of equitable access to education as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Full tuition Waiver- KISS-DU offers full tuition waivers to all its students, ensuring they are not encumbered with academic fees. https://university.kiss.ac.in/docs/Criteria-5/5.1.1/KISS%20DU%20Free%20Studentship.pdf 
  • Free Accommodation and Food:  KISS-DU ensures that no student is deprived of education due to poverty by offering completely free residential facilities and meals to all students. The University provides safe and fully equipped hostel accommodation, with a large bedded capacity for both boys and girls. In 2024, this initiative continued to benefit thousands of tribal students, eliminating financial burdens related to housing. In addition, the institution runs a centralized mechanized steam-based kitchen, which serves nutritious meals three times a day. These meals are tailored to meet students’ dietary needs, fostering physical and cognitive well-being. This holistic support system removes barriers of food and housing insecurity, empowering students to focus entirely on academic success. https://university.kiss.ac.in/campus-life/residential-life/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hcc7BppqAE, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpOxECC31go 

In the academic year 2024-25 alone, 2681 undergraduate,  postgraduate and doctoral students benefited under the KISS-DU Freeship Policy, reflecting the institutional commitment to enabling access without any financial burden.

  • Additionally, the university facilitates Post-Matric Scholarships, National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, National Scholarship Portal and Sankalp Research fellowship by KFintech etc to further support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As a result, the proportion of students receiving financial aid due to poverty is effectively 100%, making KISS DU a rare example of fully subsidized higher education for low-income tribal  students.
    • Post Matric Scholarship: Post-Matric Scholarship for ST/SC/OBC/SEBC/EBC Communities, Odisha is being offered by ST & SC Development and Minorities & Other Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha for SC, ST, OBC, EBC, and SEBC community students studying at the post-matriculation level. The selected scholars will receive financial assistance. To be eligible, an applicant must:- be a permanent resident of Odisha, belong to the ST/SC/OBC/SEBC/EBC category, be studying at the post-matric level , have secured a minimum of 50% marks in the previous examination (For EBC/OBC/SEBC category student) and have an annual family income of less than ₹2,50,000. Scholarship amount: Rs. 12,000 Per year
    • National Scholarship Scheme
      • Umbrella Scheme for Education of ST Children – Post Matric Scholarship (Pms) For St Students-Tripura (UG- 30,000 per year, PG-38,000 per year)
      • Post Matric Scholarship to ST Students – Mizoram: Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribes Students: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to students belonging to Scheduled Tribes pursuing Post-Matriculation recognized courses in recognized institutions. The scheme covers professional/ technical as well as non-professional and non-technical courses at various levels and also correspondence courses including distance and continuing education. The scheme is 90:10 funding from by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Mizoram state. Scholarship Amount: Rs 21,700 per year.
      • Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students: The scholarships are awarded by Ministry of Education, Government of India on the basis of results of Higher Secondary / Class XII Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing graduate / postgraduate degree in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc. Scholarship amount : Rs. 12,000 Per year
    • Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana (LAPTOP DBT) – Scholarship amount: Rs. 30,000 Per year, Scholarship is provided to buy a laptop
    • Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana – Scholarship amount : Rs. 20,000 Per year
      • Applicant is eligible to apply and avail Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana in scholarship portal irrespective of applying/availing in any other department schemes.
      • Parents/ guardian’s from all sources shall not exceed Rs. 2,49,999.00 (Two Lakh Forty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine ) per annum.
    • Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana (Edn Astt): The objective of the scheme is to extend financial assistance to the eligible building and other construction worker for continuing education of their wards/ children under Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana being extended by the Odisha building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Scholarship Amount : Rs 70,00 per year
    • PG Merit Scholarship – Scholarship amount: Rs. 15,000 Per year
    • U.G Merit Scholarship – Scholarship amount: Rs. 10,000 Per year
    • Vyasakabi Fakirmohan Bhasabruti – The scheme “Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti Scholarship” is a Scholarship Scheme by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha. The objective of the scheme is the promotion of Odia Language by way of encouraging meritorious students to take up higher studies in Odia Language at U.G. and P.G. level. This is a one time scholarship of Rs. 20,000/- per student; awarded every year for Students studying UG with Odia Honours and PG in Odia respectively.
Agency Beneficiaries in 2024
Post Matric Scholarship 2245
Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana (Laptop DBT) 75
Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana 13
Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana (Edn Astt) 16
PG Merit 30
U.G Merit 30
Vyasakabi Fakirmohan Bhasabruti 18
Umbrella Scheme For Education of ST Children – Post Matric Scholarship (Pms) For St Students-Tripura (NSP) 06
Post Matric Scholarship To St Students – Mizoram 05
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students 10
  • Fellowships:
    • National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students from Ministry of Tribal Affairs: This is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and every year 750 fresh ST students are given fellowship for pursuing M.Phil. (only in Psychiatric Social Work/ M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology), Integrated M.Phil.+ Ph.D. and Ph. D. Courses. Scholarship Amount Rs. 28,000 per month.
    • UGC JRF: UGC JRF stands for the Junior Research Fellowship awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to candidates who qualify for the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF). It is a research fellowship that provides financial assistance for postgraduate students to pursue advanced studies and research leading to an M.Phil. or Ph.D. degree.
    • Sankalp Research fellowship by KFintech: 
      • Scholarship provided under CSR project of KFintech and is provided for Ph.D Students only.
      • Scholarship amount : Rs. 20,000 per month for 5 months
Agency Beneficiaries in 2024
National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students from Ministry of Tribal Affairs 207
UGC JRF 62
KFintech Sankalp 03
  • Implementing a unique ‘ Earn while you learn’ program to enable students to earn supplemental Income alongside their studies. Vocational Training Centre at KISS- DU, links education with productivity, economic development and individual prosperity. In doing so, they ensure sustainable livelihoods. The course designs are based on chemical, appliqué, painting, food processing, tailoring, knitting, and drinking water. Vocational products included phenyl, hand wash, liquid detergent, tribal paintings, uniforms, etc. One-third of the surplus sales’ proceeds are given as incentives to students, under KISS’ innovative ‘Earn While you Learn’ programme that provides supplementary income to students while encouraging them to study. Vocational classes are held for an hour everyday. https://kiss.ac.in/skill-development/  
  • The Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) plans to promote futuristic innovations, an entrepreneurial environment through the cultivation of the potential of the entrepreneurs and/or their alumni at KISS-DU. It also wishes to create a vibrant start-up ecosystem to align itself with the major policy initiatives under the banners of Make-in-India and Start-up India, Stand-up India as well as Start-up Odisha. All these involve setting up incubator facilities, providing start-up supports such as mentoring, legal, financial and technological aids, intellectual property rights protection aids, cost-effective infrastructural support and other value-added services. This Centre will work towards providing a forum and platform where technologies developed by faculty and students can be commercialized. https://university.kiss.ac.in/groups/centre-for-indigenous-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/