SCHOLARSHIPS
The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare operates several programmes of scholarships which fall broadly into the following categories
A. Scholarships for Indian Students for study in India.
B. Scholarships for Indian Students for Study Abroad.
C. Scholarships for Foreign Students for Study in India.
A brief account of scholarships under each of the above three categories is given below
A. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS FOR STUDY IN INDIA
(i) National Scholarships Scheme The objective of the Scheme is to assit poor but meritorious students in pursuing their academic career. The Scheme which was started in 1961 continued as a Central Scheme in 1974-75. The Sixth Finance Commission in its recommendation took into account the financial requirements of the States towards Scholarships under Educational Schemes and provided requisite fund's to them at the same level as reached at the end of the year 1973-74 as part of the committed expenditure of the State Governments. Following this recommendation of the Sixth Finance Commission no separate non-plan provision was made by the Government of India under the Scheme for the year 1974-75. Funds were, however, provided under (Plan) only for meeting the expenditure to be incurred over the level reached during the year 1973-74 by the State Governments including additional awards that need to be provided. During 1974-75 three thousand fresh scholarships were awarded under the Scheme. The Scheme is proposed to be continued in 1975-76 on the same basis as in 1974-75.
(ii) National Loan Scholarships Scheme This Scheme enables the talented but economically weaker students to complete their education. In 1974-75, twenty thousand fresh scholarships were given under this Scheme. The Scheme is proposed to be continued in 1975-76.
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(iii) National Scholarships for the Children of Primary and
Secondary School Teachers The Scheme was started in 1961 as a recognition of the services rendered by school teachers to enable their meritorious children to pursue higher education. The expenditure on these scholarships up to the level reached during 1973-74 was met by the State Governments from the funds provided to them for the purpose by the Sixth Finance Commission.
(iv) Scheme of Scholarships at the Secondary Stage for Talented
Children from Rural Areas The objectives of this Scheme is to achieve greater equalisation of educational opportunities and to provide a fillip to the, develop- ment of rural talent. Under this scheme about 10,000 fresh awards (at the rate of two scholarships per Community Development Block) were given every year.
(v) Scholarships to Students front Non-Hindi Speaking States for
Post-Matric Studies in Hindi The main object of the Scheme is to encourage the study of Hindi in Non-Hindi Speaking States. During 1974-75, one thousand eight hundred and fifty fresh awards have been given under the Scheme.
(vi) Government of India Scheme of Scholarships in Approved
Residential Secondary Schools The objective of the scheme is to help the talented children whose parents have a low income and are, therefore, unable to avail themselves of the opportunity of reading in good Public Residential Schools. Under this scheme, 500 fresh scholarship. were given during 1974-75 and the same number of scholarships is proposed to be awarded during 1975-76. 15% and 5% of the total number of scholarships are reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively. The Ministry has approved 64 Public/Residential Schools for the purpose of the scheme all over the country where the selected' scholars are studying. At present the number of Scholars under this scheme is about 1,450.
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B.SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS FOR STUDY
ABROAD
(i) Partial Financial Assistance Scheme The Scheme provides for the grants of loans towards passage to such academically distinguished students as have obtained admission to foreign universities, organisations, etc. for study in subject-fields for which adequate facilities do not exist in India. Emergency loans to bonafide Indian Students are also given by our Missions in the USA, UK and West Germany. During 197475 such loans have been granted to 13 students.
(ii) National Scholarships for Study Abroad This scheme was instituted in 1971-72 to provide financial assistance to meritorious students who are citizens of India and who do not have the means to go abroad for further studies. A total number of 50 scholarships are earmarked every year under this Scheme. These scholarships are, available for Post-graduate, studies leading to Ph.D. Degree course, Post-Doctoral as well as research training. A few scholarships are also available for courses leading to the First Degree.
Only those candidates whose parents'/guardians' income is less than Rs. 1,000/- p.m. from all sources are eligible for the award of scholarships.
41 scholars were selected by the, Selection Committee under this Scheme during 1974-75. At present 135 scholars are studying abroad under the Scheme. Each scholar is entitled to a maintenance allowance of $ 3000 in USA and 900 p.m.(in Pound) in U.K. and other countries. Besides, Government of India also defrays tuition fees and all other compulsory charges, cost of books and equipment etc. on behalf of the scholar.
(iii) SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER COMMONWEALTH
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS PLAN
(a) AUSTRALIA 5 candidates have been nominated under Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan, 1975.
(b) CANADA 11 award letters have been sent under Commonwealth Scholarships/ Fellowships Plan (Canada) 1974, and 20 nominations have been invited for 1975.
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(c) HONGKONG 3 nominations have been invited against 4 scholarships offered to Commonwealth countries.
(d) JAMAICA 2 nominations have been invited against scholarship offered to Commonwealth countries.
(e) NEW ZEALAND 4 candidates have been nominated for 1975. (f) NIGERIA
(f) NIGERIA 3 Nominations have been invited against 25 scholarships offered to Commonwealth countries.
(g) SRI LANKA 3 candidates have been nominated.
(h) UNITED KINGDOM 48 scholarships were awarded under Commonwealth Scholarsh- ips/Fellowships Plan 1974 and 67 nominations have been invited for 1975.
One candidate left for U.K. during 1973-74 against the offer of Commonwealth Education Fellowship for 1973-74. Against an offer of 30 fellowships for 1974-75, 35 candidates were nominated. Against 30 Fellowships for 1975-76, 35 candidates have been nominated. One candidate nominated for 1972-73 under Commonwealth Education Fellowship, U.K. Short term Award, will go to U.K. in January, 1975. Against an offer of 10 Fellowships for 1973-74, 15 nominations were sent. Of these, 8 have so far been accepted and 7 of them have gone abroad. The 10 long-term fellowships were converted into 20 short term fellowships. Of these 20, 10 were earmarked for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Only one of their nominees has been accepted and gone to U.K. Against 10 Fellowships, 12 candidates have been nominated. Of these 3 have left for U.K. and four more will go in January, 1975.
(iv) SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS/ORGANISATIONS OR
INSTITUTIONS
1. ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT An offer of 10 scholarships has been received from the Government of Arab Republic of Egypt, for 1974-75 which is under process.
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2. AUSTRIA 20 candidates were nominated by the Government of India against the offer of an unspecified number of scholarships for different subject fields e.g. Hotel Management, Medicine & Surgery and Mining and Metallurgy for 1974-75. The Austrian Government have approved only 8 candidates in all the above mentioned subjects.
3. BULGARIA Against an offer of 3 scholarships for 1973-74, one candidate has already proceeded to Bulgaria. The others are expected to go shortly.
4. CZECHOSLOVAKIA An offer of 5 scholarships had been received from the Government of Czechoslovakia for 1974-75, but the offer could not be processed due to paucity of time
5.DENMARK 3 candidates left for Denmark in January, 1974 against the offer of 1973-74. Besides this, 18 candidates were nominated for 1974-75. 6 candidates have been issued award letters and they are to proceed to Denmark in the beginning of 1975.
6. FRANCE Against an offer of 20 scholarships, for higher studies for 1974- 75, the Government of India nominated 19 candidates of Whom 8 have gone to France. Approval in respect of 5 more candidates has been received. These candidates are expected to go during the end of 1974.
The Final Approval in respect of recommended candidates for fellowship for Indian Professor of French, 1974-75, is still awaited from the French Authorities.
The Government of France has offered 22 scholarships for higher studies for 1975-76. The offer is being examined.
7. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY An offer of 10 fellowships has been received under German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship Scheme 1975.
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8. FINLAND Nominations of 9 candidates (including 3 reserves) for 1973-74, have been sent to Finnish authorities for their approval
9. G.D.R. The G.D.R. Government granted scholarships to 6 candidates against the offer of 6 scholarships for Coaches, 1974-75. 5 candidates have so far left for GDR.
The offer of 10 scholarships for Post graduate studies 1973-75 is under process.
10.GREECE Approval of 2 scholars has been received for 1974-75. They are to leave for Greece shortly.
11. HUNGARY Approval of 5 candidates was received under Hungarian Government Scholarships for 1974-75 and the approval of remaining candidate is still awaited.
12. ITALY The Government of Italy have offered 6 scholarships for Indian Nationals for 1975-76. The offer is under process.
13. JAPAN Against an offer of 8 scholarships for 1974-75, 6 candidates left for Japan. during 1974.
An offer of 8 scholarships has been received for 1975-76 which is under, process.
An offer of a long-term fellowship for a student and, a short term fellowship for a teacher of Delhi University, has been received under Japan Fellowship (Foundation). Nomination is, being sent shortly.
14.NETHERLANDS Against an unspecified number of fellowhips for international courses for 1974-75, 62 candidates were nominated and the Dutch authorities have so far approved 28 candidates only and further approval of a few more candidates is expected.
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15. NORWAY 6 candidates left for Norway during the year.
16. POLAND An offer of 9 scholarships for 1974-75 has been received from the Government of Poland. Nomination of 12 candidates including 3 reserves has been sent to the, Polish authorities for their approval.
Besides, the Polish Government has approved 2 candidates for the award of scholarships under COMECON Scheme 1974-75 and the candidates have already left for Poland.
17. ROMANIA An offer of 10 scholarships for 1974-75 was received from the Government of Romania. All the 10 candidates selected by the Government of India have been approved by the donor country.
18. SAUDI ARBIA The Saudi Arabian authorities have approved 4 candidates against the offer (1974-75).
19. SWEDEN 3 scholars have left for Sweden to participate in the Inter- national Seminar in Physics in the University of Uppsala, Sweden 1974- 75.
20. UNITED KINGDOM Against an offer of 2 fellowships under Imperial Relations, Trust, U.K. 1974-75, 2 nominations were made. Both the candidates were selected but only one has been able to go to the U. K.
Against an offer of 10 scholarships, under British Council Scholarships, 14 scholars left for UK. An offer of 10 scholarships has been received for 1975-76. The offer is under process.
Against an offer of 4 scholarships under the Confederation of British Industry Overseas scholarships, one scholar has left for U.K. An offer of 5 scholarships for 1973-75 is being processed.
Against an offer of 10 scholarships on a global basis under Royal Commission Scholarships, 2 candidates have been selec-
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ted, and one has already left for U.K. Offer for 1975-76 is being processed.
21. U.S.S.R. Under the Indo-Soviet Cultural Exchange Programme, 1974-75, the Soviet Government offered 100 scholarships including 32 scholarships for various institutions/universities in India. In addition the Soviet Ministry of Fishing Industry also offered 15 scholarships during 1974-75 for specialised training in Fisheries.
In all, 77 candidates were nominated against the 83 scholarships made available to this Ministry. In addition nominations of 6 candidates, including one reserve, were received from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (Centre of Russian Studies) New Delhi. 7 nominations including 2 reserve received from the I.I.T. Bombay, for the 5 scholarships offered to each of them by the Soviet authorities under the above programme, were also sent to the Soviet authorities for approval under the scheme. One candidate has also been nominated by the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, against one scholarship offered to, them under the above scheme.
The Soviet Women's Committee offered 8 Scholarships to the National Federation of Indian Women during 1974-75. Eleven candidates including 3 reserve were recommended by the Federation under the above scheme. All the eight candidates approved by the Soviet authorities have since proceeded abroad for the diploma course in medicine and pedagogy.
22. YUGOSLAVIA 20 candidates were approved for Scholarships under the programme of exchange of Scholars between India and Yugoslavia, 1973-74.
C. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS FOR STUDY IN INDIA
(i) General Cultural Scholarships Scheme Under this scheme, 180 scholarships are awarded every year to the nationals of Asia, Africa and other Foreign countries for Post Matriculation studies in India. During 1974-75, 172 scholars were selected by the Selection Committee. 150 scholars have joined different educational institutions in India and 10 scholars have yet to join. Scholarships have been awarded in the fields of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Arts and Humanities. It is proposed to award 180
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scholarships to the nationals of 55 countries during 1975-76 for which applications have been invited.
(ii) Scheme of Scholarships/Fellowships for National of Bangladesh.
As part of their assistance to the Government of Bangladesh, the Government of India decided that among other things, facilities may be provided to their students in India. For this purpose, the scheme was formulated in 1972-73. During 1974-75, 100 scholarships were offered to the Government of Bangladesh for study/research in different subjects in India. Altogether there are 150 scholars from Bangladesh studying in various institutions at present in the fields of Medicine, Engineering and Technology, Agriculture, Fisheries, Fine Arts etc. The rate of scholarships to the Bangladesh scholars at the under- graduate level has been raised from Rs. 250 per month to Rs. 300 per month Rs. 450 p.m. are paid to the scholars for PostGraduate courses and those who are employed in the Bangladesh Universities as Lecturers etc. and those who are working in Government and Academic Organisations and if they come for advanced research are paid at the same rate of salary as they have been getting in their home Universities/Colleges etc. as the case may be subject to a maximum of Rs. 1,000 p.m. It is proposed to award 100 scholarships to the nationals of Bangladesh during 1975-76 for which applications have been invited.