CHAPTER IX SCHOLARSHIPS
1. The schemes of scholarships in Union Ministry of Education seek to equalise educational opportunities by providing special assistance, particularly to students belonging to socially and economically backward sections of the community, and strive to assist deserving but needy students to continue to continue their studies. Scholarships schemes for scientific research and technical education are designed to promote development in these vital fields, to help to improve the standard of teaching and resarch and to meet the shortage of trained personnel. Scholarships in cultural fields are designed to encourage young persons of outstanding ability and promise within their specialised fields of activities.
2. To accelerate the rate of development and to meet the shortage of trained personnel, the Government of India has also research of Indian nationals abroad made by foreign governments and organisations. As a measure of receiprocity and in order to promote good relations with other countries, the Government has also been offering scholarships and fellowships to nationals of other countries for study in India.
3. The scholarships schemes which have been n operation during the year under review are categorised a follows:
I. Scholarships for Indian National for Study for in India.
II. Scholarships for Indian National for Study Abroad
III. Scholarships for Students Belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, etc.
IV. Programme for the Exchange of Scholars
V. Scholarships for Foreign National for Study in India.
4. Budget provision under these schemes is made for continuing scholars as well as for fresh scholars selected during each specific year.
1. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN NATIONALS FOR STUDY IN INDIA 5. National Scholarships Scheme : Instituted in 1961-62, the scheme is intended to provide the opportunity of post-matriculation studies to deserving students. Starting with 2, 4000 awards.
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in the first year, the number of scholarships increased to 7,000 in 1967-68. The same number of scholarships has been proposed for 1968- 69, subject to the, availability of funds.
6. The awards are allocated in advance to various approved examinations held by various examining bodies all over India. Selections are made from the top of the merit lists and are announced with the declaration of examination results. Entitlement cards are supplied to the examining bodies to enable the scholars to join institutions of their own choice anywhere in India without payment of admission or other fees. An authorised officer of each State Government/Union Territory is empowered to draw the annual scholarship amount in respect of the concerned scholars immediately on receipt of relevant documents and send the same to the heads of institutions concerned. The heads of institutions in turn deposit it in local treasuries, and from it draw the due amount every month in accordance with the number of scholars.
7. National Loan Scholarships Scheme : This was instituted for the first time in 1963-64. It provides for the award of interest-free loan scholarships to needy and meritorious students for the completion of an approved course. The maximum limit of the loan varies from stage to stage. The amount is recoverable in monthly instalments, beginning one year after the loanee has secured employment, or three years after the termination of the scholarships, whichever is earlier. The scheme extends a special privilege to those loanees who join the teaching profession after having completed their studies. For them, one tenth of the low is written off for every year of service put in.
8. During 1966-67, 18,500 fresh awards were made. In 1967-68, the number dropped to 14,825 awards, owing to lack of funds. The same number of awards will be made in 1968-69. The awards are distributed among various States and Union Territories in the ratio of their population.
9. Scholarships for the Children of Primary and Secondary School Teachers : In recognition of the services rendered by, and in order to offer financial assistance, to teachers, this scheme was launched in 1961-62. Children of teachers who pass their school- leaving or PUC examination with a minimum of 60% marks, are eligible for this scholarship. Selections are made from the top of the merit lists. During 1966-67, 750 fresh awards were made.In 1967-68, owing to lack of funds, the number dropped to 412 awards. It is proposed to make the same number of awards in 1968-69.
10. Scholarships in Residential and Public Schools: This scheme is designed to provide opportunities of good all-round
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school education to those who would not otherwise be in a position to obtain it. The scheme makes provision for 200 fresh scholarships every year. Selections for these 200 awards for 1967-68 are being completed. It is proposed to make the same number of awards in 1968- 69 also.
11. Scholarships to Young Workers in Different Cultural Fields: The scheme seeks to provide opportunities to talented young persons for advanced training in Hindustani music (instrumental and vocal), Karnatak music (instrumental and vocal), classical Western music, Rabidra Sangeet, folk song., Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, folk dance and the fine arts i.e. painting, sculpture, book illustration and design. Twenty-five scholarships are awarded under the scheme every year. Selection for the awards for 1967-68 are being completed It is proposed to make the same number of awards in 1968-69 also.
12. Scholarships and Educational Facilities for Children of Political Sufferers : The scheme provides for the provision of certain facilities to children of political sufferers. The concessions are : (a) special consideration on admissions and award of freeships and half-freeships in all recognised primary, Basic, middle, high and higher secondary schools, (b) free seats in hostels attached to recognised schools and colleges, and (c) a limited number of stipends and book grants to students from primary to postgraduate level.
13. The scheme is administered by State Governments and Union Administrations. The Central Government gives a grant on 50: 50 basis to State Governments and in respect of Union Administrations it meets the entire expenditure.
14. Scholarships to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking States for Post-Matric Studies in Hindi: The Scheme seeks to promote the study of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States so as to make available trained personnel to teach Hindi and to man other posts where the knowledge of Hindi is necessary. Starting- with only 10 awards in 1955-56, the number rose to 1,000 scholarships in 1967-68. It is proposed to offer the same number of awards in 1968-69.
II.SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN NATIONALS FOR STUDY ABROAD
A. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SCHEMES 15. Foreign Languages Scholarships Scheme: Scholarships are given under this scheme to Indian nationals for specialisation in the study of foreign languages. Owing to the tight foreign
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exchange position, the scheme has not been actively operated since 1964-65. Budget provision exists only for those scholarships of previous batches who are still studying abroad.
16. Union Territories Overseas Scholarships: This scheme provides for scholarships to be given for higher studies to persons who by birth or domicile, are residents of Union Territories. Owing to the tight foreign exchange position, the scheme has been held in abeyance since 1966-67. Budget provision exists only for those scholars of the previous batches who are still abroad.
17. Partial Financial Assistance (Loan) Scheme: The scheme provides for the grant of loans towards passage and other incidental expenses to such deserving and meritorious students as have obtained admission in foreign universities, organisations, etc., for subject fields for which adequate facilities are not available in India. During the year 1967-68, such loans were sanctioned to 27 students.
B. COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIP PLAN AND COMMONWEALTH
EDUCATION AND COOPERATION SCHEME 18. The Commonwealth Education Conference held in July, 1959 recommended a number of measures to enrich countries of the Commonwealth by enabling an incrtasing number of its able citizens to share the wide range of educational resources available throughout the Commonwealth and thus promote equality of educational opportunities at the higher level. The plan which aims at achieving this objective has been in operation for the last 8 years, and during the year under report, scholarships were offered to India by the following countries.
(1) Australia Five candidates have been nominated for the awards for the year 1968-69. The approval of the Australian authorities of their final selection is awaited. The Australian authorities have invited five nominations for 1969-70.
(2) Canada Out of the 18 candidates nominated for the scholarships offered by the Government of Canada for the year 1967-68, nine, who were finally selected by the Canadian authorities, have already gone to Canada. Twenty-eight candidates have been nominated for 1968-69.
(3) Ceylon Acceptance in regard to three candidates nominated for the awards for 1967 was still awaited.
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(4) New Zealand Five candidates were nominated for awards for 1967-68. The approval of the New Zealand authorities of their final selection is awaited. New Zealand has invited three nominations for 1968-69.
(5) United Kingdom Thirty-seven scholarships were offered for 1967-68, of which 33 have been utilised. Moreover, 67 candidates have been nominated for 40 scholarships offered for 1968-69.
(6) United Kingdom Teacher Training Bursaries Twenty-nine teacher training bursaries were offered for 1967-68 of which 23 have been utilised. Fifty-two candidates have been nominated for the, bursaries offered for 1968-69.
C. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED By FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS/INSTITUTIONS/
ORGANISATIONS 19. The details of scholarships/fellowships offered by some foreign countries/organisations/institutions are given below
(1) Czechoslovakia The Government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic offered seven scholarships for 1967-68, against which seven candidates were nominated. The approval of the Czechoslovak authorities is awaited.
(2) Denmark The Government of Denmark did not make any formal offer of scholarships during the year. However, they were willing to entertain applications from suitable candidates. Accordingly, 13 candidates were selected during the year.
(3) Finland The offer of three scholarships for 1966-67 was fully utilised and the candidates left for Finland during the year.
(4) France The following offer of 101 scholarships was received from the French Government for 1968-69 for which applications have been invited:
(a) For specialized training-48 scholarships
(b) For higher studies-30 scholarships
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(c) For higher studies in technical subjects-20 scholarships
(d) For training in art subjects-3 scholarships
(5) Germany (Federal Republic) (a) An offer of 7 scholarships was made by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for practical training of polytechnic teachers during the year 1967 and it was fully utilised.
(b) Out of 8 candidates nominated for practical training in plastics and synthetic products manufacture in 1967, seven were finally selected and left India.
(c) Out of 8 candidates nominated for engineering education at technical colleges in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1967, two were finally selected.
(d) Twenty-five scholars left for the Federal Republic of Germany during 1967-68 for studies/research under the offer of scholarships made by the Academic Exchange Service.
(e) Three fellows left for the Federal Republic of Germany during 1967-68 for research work under the fellowships offered by the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation.
(6) Germany (Democratic Republic) (a) An offer of 30 scholarships was made by the German Democratic Republic for practical training. Selection of candidates has been made and the nominations sent to the German Democratic Republic authorities.
(b) An offer of 11 scholarships was made by the German Democratic Republic, for postgraduate studies in 1967. Selection of candidates has been made and nominations sent to the German Democratic Republic.
(c) An offer of five scholarships for training of coaches has been received and is being processed.
(7) Greece Greek authorities have approved two candidates against their 1967-68 offer. One scholar gas already left for Greece.
(8) Hungary The Hungarian Government offered nine scholarships during 1967-68 for which nine nominations were made. Of these, four candidates were approved and they have since left for Hungary.
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(9) Iran The Medical Association of Iran offered 2 scholarships to 2 doctors from West Asia and some other countries, for research in pathology, bacteriology, microbiology or health investigation. The offer has been made to commemorate the Coronation of His Imperial Majesty, the King and Her Imperial Majesty, the Queen of Iran. Nominations for these are being sent.
(10) Italy (a) An offer of 5 scholarships for postgraduate studies in Animal Husbandry, Hydraulic engineering and Agricultural Engineering was received from the Government of Italy and is being processed.
(b) Secretary "Costed" International Council of Scientific Unions (Rome), has offered 2 scholarships, one tenable at the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines and the other at the Rockefeller Centre on Population Control. This offer is being processed.
(11) Japan (a) The Japanese Government offered six scholarships for 1968-69 for postgraduate studies in physics, horticulture, electrical engineering, fisheries and Japanese language. Nominations have been made and the approval of the Japanese authorities is awaited.
(b) Research Institute of Tele-Communications, Tohoku University, Japan, offered two scholarships for 1967-68, against which two Indian scholars were nominated, but neither of them was approved by the Japanese authorities. The offer for 1968-69 has also been received and is being processed.
(12) Netherlands The Netherlands authorities have offered 54 fellowships for 1968. Out of these, they have finally approved eight candidates.
(13) Norway The Government of Norway, through the Norwegian Agency for International Development, offered an unspecified number of scholarships for advanced study/research during 1967-68. Of the eleven candidates recommended, two were finally approved. Of these one candidate has already gone and the other has declined the offer. A similar offer for 1968-69 has also been received.
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(14) Poland The Government of the Polish People's Republic had offered the following scholarships/fellowships :
(a) Five scholarships for postgraduate studies and 25 for postgraduate training, Nomination of selected candidates was communicated to the Polish authorities and their approval is awaited.
(b) Four fellowships for national economic planning and four for postgraduate studies in town and country planning. Out of the four candidates nominated for scholarships two have been accepted by the Polish authorities. But one of them has declined to go and the nomination of the other has been withdrawn. Against the other offer of four fellowships, six candidates were nominated. All of them have been approved and accepted by the Polish authorities.
(15) Romania The Romanian Government offered two scholarships during 1967-68. The selected candidates are preparing to leave.
(16) Spain A scholar already in Spain against scholarships for 1966-67 has been given extension against the offer of one scholarship for 1967-68.
(17) Switzerland An offer of the scholarships for postgraduate studies in science, engineering and technology has been received from the Government of Switzerland. Selected candidates are being nominated.