No. F. 1-2/2005 - NS-I
Government of India
Ministry of Human Resource Development
Department of Secondary & Higher Education
NS-I Section
A-1/W-3, Curzon Road Barracks,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg.
New Delhi – 110001.
Dated
the 24th May, 2005
To
All States/UTs.
Education
Secretaries
Subject:
Continuation of the National Merit Scholarship Scheme and grant-in-aid
during the year 2005-06 -reg.
Sir/Madam,
I am
directed to say that the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Merit
Scholarship Scheme (copy enclosed) to provide financial assistance to
meritorious students of rural areas studying in classes IX & X and also to
meritorious students studying at post-matric to post-graduate level in
schools and colleges has been formulated with the merger of the two
ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scholarship Scheme viz. National Scholarship
Scheme and Scheme of Scholarship for Talented Children from Rural Areas at
the Secondary Stage for implementation the financial year 2005-06, while
keeping the scholarship allotted to the rural and urban children strictly
distinct. The total number of scholarships to be awarded every year will
now be 27,762. A copy of the revised scheme is enclosed herewith.
2.
The
break-up of scholarships under sub-para (A) & (B) of para 4 of the scheme
are given in Annexure-I & II respectively. Some of the significant
changes in the new scheme are following: -
i)
The rates of scholarship are
as under:-
|
S.
No. |
Name of the Course |
Rate of Scholarships
(Rupees per month) |
|
1. |
9th & 10th
Class (in rural areas only) |
250/- |
|
2. |
11th & 12th
Classes of 10+2 pattern/Intermediate |
300/- |
|
3. |
B.A./B.Sc/B.Com/ B.Archeology etc.
course of Graduate level |
500/- |
|
4. |
Scholarship at Post-Graduation leve
l/B.E. /B.Tech ./M.B.B.S./L.L.B./B.Ed./Diploma in Hotel Management
Course/Diploma Course in Homeopathy/B.D.S. |
750/- |
ii)
The total number of
scholarships for rural area (item I – Class IX & X are 10,762 only and for
item 2, 3, 4 total scholarships are 17,000.
iii)
The income ceiling applicable
for parents has been raised from
Rs.25, 000/- per annum to Rs.1.00 lakh per annum.
iv)
The practice of awarding the
certificate of Merit and one time Rs. 100/- to meritorious students, who
become ineligible due to annual income of parents of exceeding Rs. 1.00
lakh, has been discontinued.
v)
There is no state liability
limit and the entire expenditure on disbursement of scholarships to
students of the States/Union Territories are reimbursable by Government of
India.
vi)
The practice of States
conducting a special selection examination for selecting students for
scholarships has been done away with.
The
scheme is to be operated through State Governments/UT Administrations
3. Action for
distribution of the awards among the various examining bodies/universities
within States/Union Territories may please be taken early within the
framework of the scheme and as per procedure prescribed under para 4 of
the National Merit Scholarship Scheme. The proforma for preparation of
merit list of candidates securing 60% or more marks; statement of
particulars of candidates, Income Affidavit and Annual Progress Reports
are enclosed for implementation of the scheme during 2005-06 (Annexure-III
to VIII).
4. The para-3 to 13 of the National Merit Scholarship Scheme
deal with the procedure for allocation/distribution of scholarships,
eligibility criteria, selection of candidates for awards, tenability,
rates, parental income ceiling, duration and payments etc. of the
scheme. The procedure laid down in these paragraphs may please be
followed strictly. The scheme has been launched on 16th
February, 2005 with revised provisions w.e.f. 2004-05. The State
Governments/UTs are requested to annonce the revised scheme for the year
2005-06 in their States/UTs through press advertisements, news items,
Departmental Circulars/Notices and, wherever possible, through Radio and
T.V.
5. You are requested to finalize the names of students for award
of scholarship in accordance with Para-6 of the National Merit Scholarship
Scheme.
6. It has been observed that some State Governments are not
furnishing correct Statement of Accounts and the unspent balance lying
with them from the grants released in the earlier years. It may be
mentioned that in the absence of Statement of Accounts, it is not possible
for Government of India to release fresh grants to the States and it might
result in a delay.
7. The Ministry has adequate budget provisions under the scheme
during 2005-06 for release of funds to States/Union Territories for
meeting expenditure on sanction of scholarships to the students. It is
requested that your proposal for release of grant indicating requirement
of funds for the financial year 2005-06 for each category with no. of
students, along with the audited statement of accounts/expenditure
statement upto the year 2004-05 showing the unspent balance lying with the
State Government forwarded to this Ministry in the prescribed proforma
so that action for release of funds can be taken in time. The details of
total number of awards, category-wise, class-wise, fresh and renewal may
also please be sent to this Ministry in the proforma at to enable us
to release ad-hoc advance under the scheme until a detailed proposal, as
per guidelines of the scheme, is sent.
8. The designation, address and other details (including
telephone, telex, fax etc.) of the officer in your Department, dealing
with the scheme, may also please be intimated to this Ministry/Department.
This may be expedited to utilize full funds under the scheme.
Yours
faithfully,
(Arvind
Suri)
Director
Tel: 23381728
