CHAPTER VII
SCHOLARSHIPS

7.01. The principal object of the programme of scholarships is to assist deserving students to continue their studies and thereby to equalise educational opportunities. It is of special significance to students belonging to the socially and economically backward sections of the community.

7.02. Several scholarships programmes are operated by State Governments. Universities and other educational institutions also provide scholarships from their own funds to the extent possible. In addition, there are several private organisations which offer scholarships to students. These will not be described in this chapter which deals only with scholarships programmes with which the Central Government is directly concerned. Programmes operated by the Central Government fall into three categories : (1) scholarships of various categories offered by the Government of India to Indian nationals for study in India; (2) scholarships awarded to Indian nationals for study abroad and offered by the Government of India or by foreign governments, institutions and organisations; and (3) scholarships to foreign nationals for studies in India, either offered by the Government of India or given under cultural agreements or other arrangements.

A. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO INDIAN NATIONALS FOR STUDIES IN INDIA

7.03. National Scholarships Scheme :

The National Scholarships Scheme was launched in 1961-62 with 2,400

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awards for each year of the Third Five Year Plan. The number was increased to 7,000 in 1967-68. In 1968-69 the Merit-cum-Means Scholarships Scheme for technical studies was merged with it and the number of awards under the amalgamated. scheme raised to 8,250. Scholarships under this scheme are awarded to students with a parental income up to Rs. 500 per month. The estimated expenditure during the first year of the, Fourth Plan is Rs. 76,50,000 (Plan) and Rs. 169,15,000 (non-Plan). A total amount of Rs. 9,18,00,000 has been earmarked, for the entire Plan period.

7.04. National Loan Scholarships Scheme:

Launched in, 1963 as a supplement to the National Scholarships Scheme,. Loan Scholarships are given to the poor but meritorious students to complete their education. The loan is recoverable in monthly instalments commencing one year after the loanee secures employment or three years after grant of scholarship whichever is earlier. In 1968- 69, 14,825 awards were distributed amongst all the States and Union Territories. In each year of the Fourth Plan period, it is proposed to give 26,500 awards. The estimated expenditure during the first year of the Plan is Rs. 1,48,00,000 (Plan) and Rs. 3,76,70,000 (non- Plan). A total amount of Rs. 23,53,20,000 will be needed in the entire Plan period.

7.05. National Scholarships Scheme for Children of Primary and Secondary School Teachers:

As a measure of recognition of the important services rendered by school teachers, this scheme was launched in 1961-62 and about 500 awards were distributed each year of the third Plan to such children of teachers as passed the school- leaving/PUC examination in first division in the year of award. 412 awards were given in 1968-69. It is proposed to give 750 awards in each year during the Fourth Five Year Plan. no estimated expenditure in the first year of the Plan is Rs. 4,50,000 (Plan) and Rs. 16,77,000 (non-Plan). A sum of Rs. 81,00,000 will be needed in the entire Plan Period.

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7.06. Scholarships in Residential and Public Schools

Designed to provide opportunities of good all-round school education to those who would not otherwise be in a position to, obtain it, the scheme has provision for 200 fresh scholarships, every year. Selection for the 200 awards for 1968-69 has been completed. It is proposed to make the game number of awards, in 1969-70 also.

7.07. 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, Rabindra Sangeet, folk dance and the fine arts i.e. painting, sculpture, book illustration and design. Twenty-five scholarships are awarded under the scheme every year.

7.08. Scholarships and Other Educational Facilities to the Children of Political Sufferers:

The scheme makes provision for certain facilities to be made available to the children of political sufferers which include (a) special consideration for admission and award of freeships and half-freeships, in all recognised 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 post-graduate level. The scheme is administered by State Governments and Union Administrations. The Union Government give grants on 50:50 basis to State Governments. In respect of Union Administrations, the entire expenditure is met by the Union Government.

7.09. 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. Starting with only 10 awards in 1955-56. 1,000 scholarships were awarded in 1968-69. It is proposed to offer the same number of awards during each year of the Fourth Five Year Plan

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B. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN NATIONALS FOR STUDY ABROAD

7.10. The scholarships available to Indian nationals for study abroad fall into three broad categories : (1) scholarships offered by the Government of India; (2) Commonwealth programmes; and (3) scholarships offered by other countries.

I. Scholarships offered by the Government of India

7.11. Owing to the difficult foreign exchange position, two schemes, viz., 'Foreign Language Scholarships Scheme' and 'Union Territories Overseas Scholarships' have been held in abeyance respectively since 1965-66 and 1966-67. Budget provision for these exists only for continuing scholars.

7.12. Partial, Financial Assistance (Loan) Scheme:

The scheme provides for the grant of loans towards passage and other incidental expenses to academically distinguished students who have obtained admission to foreign universities, organisations, etc., for study in subject-fields for which adequate facilities do not exist in India. During 1968-69, such loans were sanctioned to 83 students.

7.13. Overseas Scholarships to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes Students:

Nine students were selected (5 scheduled castes and 4 scheduled tribes) in 1968-69. It is proposed to award the same number of scholarships in 1969-70.

7.14. Passage Grants to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes Students:

The grants are available to students who have received scholarships for studies abroad but are unable to raise passage money from their own resources. In 1968-69 four persons were given passage grants. It is proposed to offer nine such passage grants during 1969-70.

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II. Commonwealth Programmes

7.15. The Commonwealth Education Conference held in July, 1959 recommended a number of measures to enable an increasing number of its able citizens to share the wide range of educational resources available throughout the commonwealth, and thereby promote equality of educational opportunity at the higher level. The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan, which aims at achieving this objective, has been in operation for the last nine years. During the year under report, scholarships as shown below, were offered to India by the other members of the Commonwealth:

(a) Australia:

Three scholarships for 1968-69 and four for 1969-70.

(b) Canada:

Nine scholarships for 1968-69.

(c) Ceylon, Hong Kong and Nigeria:

Two scholarships each from Nigeria and Hong Kong and three from Ceylon.

(d) New Zealand :

One for 1969-70.

(e) United Kingdom :

38 scholarships and 23 teacher training bursaries for 1968-69.

III. Scholarships offered by Foreign Governments/Institutions/ Organisations

7.16. The scholarships/fellowships offered by foreign gov- ernments, organisations or institutions are indicated below:

(1) Austria:

An offer of an unspecified number of scholarships in 1968-69 for specialised training of physicians and surgeons.

(2) Bulgaria:

Six scholarships for 1968-69.

(3) Belgium:

Five fellowships for 1968-69.

(4) Czechoslovakia:

Seven scholarships for 1968-69.

(5) France:

63 scholarships for 1969-70.

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(6) Federal Republic of Germany

(a) Twenty-two scholarships for 1968 and 24 for 1969 offered by the German Academic Exchange Service for advanced work and research.

(b) Five fellowships offered by the Alexander Von-Humboldt Foundation for advanced work and research.

(c) Seven scholarships for training in plastic processing techniques for 1968.

(7) German Democratic Republic :

Five scholarships for training of coaches in sports, athletics etc.;

(8) Greece :

Two scholarships for postgraduate studies.

(9) Hungary :

Five scholarships selected out of the nominations made for 1967-68.

(10) Italy :

(a) Five scholarships for 1968-69.

(b) Three scholarships in economic development offered by the Italian Institute for Economic Development (I. S. V. E.) for 1968-69.

(c) Five nominations against 19 scholarships offered on a global basis by the Italian Ministry of Health in different subject-fields of medicine.

(d) One scholarship offered by the International Council of Scientific Unions, Rome.

(11) Japan:

(a) Six scholarships for postgraduate studies in physics, electrical engineering, horticulture, fisheries, shipbuilding, naval architecture and Japanese language and literature for 1969-70.

(b) One scholarship for 1968-69 offered by the Research Institute of Tele-Communication, Tohoku University, Japan.

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(12) Norway:

Four fellowships for 1968-69.

(13) The Netherlands:

54 fellowships for 1968-69, in addition to two on reciprocal basis. For 1969-70 an offer of unspecified number of fellowships is being processed, where Indian candidates will have to compete with candidates from other countries.

(14) Poland:

12 candidates nominated against the offer (6 for national economic planning and 6 for town and country planning) for 1968-69 have been approved by the Polish authorities.

(15) Romania:

Particulars of the candidates nominated towards the offer of four scholarships for 1968-69 have been sent to the Romanian Government for approval.

(16) South Korea:

Nomination of two candidates have been sent for approval towards the offer of a scholarship for 1968-69.

(17) Spain:

One scholarship for 1968-69 for the Spanish language.

(18) Sweden-International Seminar on Research and Education in Physics in the University of Uppsala, Fellowships Scheme, 1968-69:

Out of the seven candidates nominated by the Government of India under this scheme for 1968-69, five have been approved.

(19) Switzerland:

One offer of scholarship for 1969-70 for postgraduate studies in any branch of science, engineering and technology.

(20) United Kingdom:

(a) Apprenticeships offered by M/s. Rolls Royce Limited, London : Seven apprentices were sent during 1968-69.

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(b) Imperial Relations Trust (UK) Fellowships: Two fellows were sent in 1968. The offer has been repeated for 1969 and selections are in progress.

(c) Nehru Memorial Trust (UK) Scholarships: Two. scholars were sent in 1968.

(d) Royal Commission Science Research Scholarships: One scholar was sent during 1968.

(e) Confederation of British Industry Scholarships One scholar was sent to UK in 1968 and the training of the remaining five nominated candidates is, being arranged. The offer has been renewed for six scholarships for the next year.

(f) Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowships: Three nominations were sent against one fellowship.

(g) British Council Scholarships: Against an offer of ten scholarships for 1968-69, eight have been utilised. The selections for 1969-70 are in progress.

(21) Turkey:

Three scholarships for 1968-69.

(22) USSR :

(a) The USSR Government offered 50 scholarships for 1968-69 for postgraduate studies for research, training of teachers and higher specialisation and out of' the 47 candidates approved by the USSR authorities. 27 have proceeded to the USSR.

(b) Out of 40 scholarships for 1968-69 offered for studies in the People's Friendship (Patrice Lumumba) University, Moscow, eight were allotted to the Indo-Soviet Cultural Society; and against the: remaining 32, twenty-eight scholars have already, joined the courses.

(23) U.S.A.I.D. Internship Programme, 1969:

Two candidates have been selected towards one internship each

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in higher educational administration and vocational guidance and the formal nominations are being made by the Ministry of Finance.

(24) Yugoslavia:

Four scholars have gone to Yugoslavia against scholarships offered for 1968- 69.

C. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS FOR STUDY IN INDIA

7.17. Foreign scholars come to India for study/research under two programmes: (1) scholarships offered by the Government of India; and (2) under Cultural Exchange Programmes or other arrangements between India and other countries.

7.18. The following scholarships were awarded by the Government. of India under the Commonwealth programmes:

(a) Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan-1968-69:

This Ministry offered 45 scholarships and five fellowships to foreign nationals from other Commonwealth countries for study/research in India under the above scheme. Against these 50 scholarships/fellowships, five scholars from UK, four from Ghana, two each from Mauritius and Fiji and one scholar each from Ceylon, Uganda, New Zealand, Kenya, Canada, Barbados and Malayasia have arrived.