CHAPTER IV SCHOLARSHIPS
By way of equalising educational opportunities and providing facilities, for higher and specialised education and training to Indian nationals in this country and abroad a number of scholarships programmes are handled by the Ministry of Education, including those offered by other countries. The Ministry also handles quite a few programmes, offering scholarships to nationals of other countries on a bilateral basis or otherwise. The programmes can be grouped in three broad categories, namely :
(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 these programmes is given below.
A. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS FOR STUDY IN INDIA
National Scholarships Scheme This scheme was started in 1961 and has been continuing from year to year since then with the objective that no brilliant student should be prevented on grounds of poverty from pursuing an academic career. The rates of scholarships under this scheme vary from Rs. 50 to Rs. 125 p.m. depending upon the stage of education and course of study followed by the scholar. The Sixth Finance Commission in its recommendations took into account the financial requirements of the States for scholarships under educational scheme (including this scheme) and provided requisite funds to them at the same level as reached at the end of 1973-74 as part of the committed expenditure of the State Governments. In 1978-79, 21,000 fresh scholarships were awarded under this scheme.
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National Loan Scholarships Scheme Started in 1963-64 with the object of providing financial assistance to needy and deserving students to complete their edu- cation, the scheme continued to make steady progress. In 1977-78, 20,000 fresh scholarships were awarded on an all-India basis. Under the rules of the scheme scholars who join the teaching profession or as combatants in the armed forces after completion of their studies are not required to repay the loan while they continue in these professions. In their case, the loan is reduced by one tenth of the original loan for every year of service put in as a teacher or as a combatant until the entire loan is written off. This rule also applies to scholars who die or become incapacitated between or after completion of their studies. On the recommendations of the Sixth Finance Commission the recovery of loan given to scholars up to 31-3- 74 is being shared equally between the Central Government and the State Governments.
National Scholarships for the Children of Primary and Secondary
School Teachers This scheme was started in 1961 as a token of the recognition of the services, rendered by the school teachers to enable their meritorious children to pursue higher education. In pursuance of the recommendations of the Sixth Finance Commission, the State Governments were provided with funds for its implementation at the level reached at the end of 1973-74. In the first two years following 1973-74, only 500 scholarships (the level reached in 1973-74) were awarded by the State Governments from the funds made available to them. In 1978-79, 250 fresh scholarships were awarded over and above the 500 fresh scholarships awarded from the resources made available to the State Governments.
National Scholarships at the Secondary Stage for Talented Children
from Rural Areas Started in 1971-72 the scheme aims to achieve greater equali- sation of educational opportunities and provide a fillip to the development of rural talent. The scheme has continued to make satisfactory progress from year to year. As in the schemes indicated earlier, the Sixth Finance Commission took this scheme also into account while working out the financial requirements of the States for Scholarships and provided them with funds for implementation at the same level as reached at the end of 1973-74 as
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part of the committed expenditure of the State Governments. Under it about 15,000 fresh scholarships @ 3 scholarships per Community Development Block) were awarded in 1977-78. In 1978-79, 20,400 fresh scholarships (@ 4 scholarships per Community Development Block & 2 additional scholarships per Tribal Community Development Block) were awarded under this scheme.
Scheme of Scholarships for Students from 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 and to make available to the Governments of these States suitable personnel to man teaching and other posts where knowledge of Hindi is essential. Under this scheme scholarships were awarded to students from Non-Hindi-Speaking States for pursuing Post-Matric studies provided Hindi is studied as one of the subjects in that course. Started in 1955-56 the coverage of the scheme continued to increase from year to year. During 1978-79, 2500 fresh scholarships were awarded under this Scheme.
Scholarships in Approved Residential Secondary Schools The scheme is intended to provide educational facilities to meritorious children of lower income groups who are otherwise unable to avail themselves of the opportunities of studying in good residential schools 500 candidates of 11-12 years age-group whose parent's/guardian's income does not exceed Rs. 500 p.m. or Rs. 6,000 p.a. are selected for the award of scholarships every year under the scheme. During 1978-79, 500 students year, approximately 1800 scholars would be studying in 69 approved schools under the scheme. During 1978-79, 500 students are to be selected for the award of scholarships. The selections under the scheme are made on the basis of two Tests-Preliminary Test held by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and All-India Final Test conducted by the Ministry of Education.
The scholarship of the selected students are tenable up to secondary education including +2 stage of education under the new pattern of education. The scholarships include the school fees (including board and lodging expenses), books and stationery allowance, uniform and clothing allowance, pocket money, T.A. and other compulsory charges which are paid to/through the school authorities.
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B. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS FOR STUDIES ABROAD
National Scholarships for Study Abroad The scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to such students of merit as do not have the means to go abroad for further studies. 50 scholarships are earmarked every year under the scheme, which are normally available for postgraduate studies leading to Ph.D. degree and post doctoral research/specialised training.
Only those candidates whose parental income from all sources is less than Rs. 1000 per month are eligible for these scholarships. 50 students were selected for award of scholarships, during 1978-79. At present about 180 scholars under the scheme are studying abroad. Each scholar is entitled to maintenance allowance at $ 4,000 per annum in the USA and Canada and US $ 3,000, per annum in the UK and other countries. Besides, the Government of India also defray tuition fees and other compulsory charges and cost of books and equipment.
Partial Financial Assistance Scheme The scheme provides for the grant of loan towards international passage costs to such academically distinguished scholars as have obtained admission in foreign universities, institutions, etc. for study in subject-field which are of national importance to India or for which adequate facilities do not exist in India. Emergency loans to bona fide Indian students are also given sparingly by our Missions in the USA, the U.K. and West Germany. During 1978-79, such loans were granted to three students.
Scholarships Under Commonwealth Scholarships/Fellowships Plan Under the 1978 scheme, Canada has accepted 14 candidates and the UK have accepted 30 candidates. Under the 1979 scheme, 2 candidates have been accepted by New Zealand and 4 candidates have been nominated for study in Australia. For the UK, Canada, Jamaica, Malaysia and Trinidad & Tobago, the selections are in progress.
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Scholarships/Fellowships offered by Foreign Governments/Organi-
sations/Institutions For the year 1978-79, Austria has accepted six candidates, Belgium 7, Czechoslovakia 6, Comeron 1, Denmark 8, FRG 7 France 13, Italy 3, Japan 8, Netherlands 15, Norway 3, Sweden 3 and the USA 5. Three candidates have been nominated for Bulgaria, 21 for GDR, 6 for Greece, 16 for Poland, 7 for Turkey and 7 for Yugoslavia. Their final acceptance is still awaited. For 1979, 14 candidates have been nominated for study in the FRG.
For the UK the position is as follows Under the British Technical Cooperation Technical Training Programme, 8 short term awards have been utilised 21 candidates have also been nominated for awards under 'Educational Links'. Under the British Council Scholarships, 6 awards have been utilised. Under the Confederation of British Industry Scholarships, 5 awards have been utilised. Under the Miss Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowships, 3 scholars have been nominated. Under the Nehru Memorial Trust Scholarships, 2 nominations have been made. Under the Science Research Scholarships of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and Rutherford Scholarships of the Royal Society, one scholar was nominated, but was not finally accepted by the Royal Commission.
For the USSR, the position for 1978-79 is as follows: Under the scheme for Post-graduate studies/research/higher specialisation, 68 scholarships were offered by the Soviet Government. 10 scholarships were allocated for the children of Indian residents in the USSR. Out of 31 candidates recommended, 15 candidates have been accepted. Against an offer of 15 scholarships by the Patrice Lumumba Friendship University, Moscow, 12 candidates have been accepted.
C. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS FOR STUDY IN INDIA
General Cultural Scholarships Scheme Under the scheme, 180 scholarships are awarded every year to nationals of Africa, Asia and other foreign countries. The scheme is designed to promote friendly relations between India and other countries and to provide for the nationals of selected
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countries all such facilities for higher education as are available in India. During 1978-79, 180 scholars were selected out of whom 135 scholars joined educational institutions in India. Scholarships were awarded in the fields of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Arts and Humanities. At present, 755 scholars from various countries are studying in India under the scheme.
Scholarships and Fellowships for Nationals of Bangladesh Under the scheme of assistance to Bangladesh in operation since 1972-73, the Government of India provide facilities to Bangladesh nationals for study in certain specialised subjects in India. Against the offer of 100 Scholarships for 1978-79, 54 scholars have joined educational institutions in India. Presently there are 156 scholars from Bangladesh studying in various educational institutions in India in the fields of Medicine, Engineering and Technology, Agriculture, Fine Arts and Sports.
Special English Course for Foreign Students The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare organises a special English course annually for such foreign students as are not sufficiently proficient in English. The last such course was conducted at the Regional Institute of English, Chandigarh, from March to June, 1978. 29 scholars selected under the General Cultural Scholarships Scheme, 1978-79 took advantage of this course besides a large number of foreign self-supporting students who also attended this course.
Scholarships for Foreign Students for Study/training in India (a) Indo-A.R.E. Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Six scholars came to India. One of them has returned.
(b) Indo-Iraqi Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Three scholars came to India. Two have returned.
(c) Indo-Soviet Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Ten Scholars are pursuing studies in India.
(d) Commonwealth Education Cooperation Plan (Training of Craft Instructors, 1978-79) : Nine scholars are undergoing training under this scheme.
(e) Commonwealth Scholarship/Fellowships Plan, 1978-79 : 19 Scholars from different Commonwealth countries have joined their institutions.
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(f) Indo-FRG Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Three scholars are studying in India.
(g) Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme, 1-978-79 : 8 scholars are studying in India.
(h) Indo-Senegalese Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 : Three scholars are studying in India.
(i) Reciprocal Scholarships Scheme, 1978-79 : One scholar is pursuing studies in India.
(j) Indo-Afghan Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Ten scholars came to India. Two of them have gone back.
(k) Indo-Polish Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Three scholars are studying in India.
(l) Indo-Yugoslav Cultural Exchange Programme, 1978-79 Two scholars are studying in India.
(m) T.C.S. Colombo Plan, 1978-79 : 45 trainees have joined institutions to pursue their studies in India.
(n) Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan : 2 Scholars are studying in India.
(o) Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation: Under this scheme, this Ministry helped in arranging admissions of Zimbabwean and Namibian candidates on behalf of the Ministry of Finance. Out of six candidates who desired to have pre-qualification courses, two were admitted.