SCHOLARSHIPS
The Government of India administers a large number of scholarships in different fields which may be divided into seven groups. The Objective of the first group is to provide facilities for Indian nationals for study abroad and that of the second group is partly to encourage and assist foreign nationals to study in India and partly to foster cultural contacts. Cutting across both these groups is a third category of scholarships instituted as a result of bilateral agreements with other countries under which Indian nationals go abroad for studies and also foreign nationals come to India. The fourth group includes special scholarships instituted by the Government of India for Indian nationals for research or higher studies in India itself. The fifth group is specially meant for students of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes for studies in India at the post-matriculation stage. The sixth group of scholarships has been instituted for studies in residential schools and the seventh group is meant for assistance to children of political sufferers.
2. SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE TO INDIANS FOR STUDY
ABROAD The facilities available under this group fall into three broad categories: (A) scholarships, fellowships and passage-grants instituted by the Government of India; (B) scholarships and fellowships instituted by the U.N. and its allied organisations and under multilateral programmes such as the Commonwealth Education Cooperation Plan; and (C) scholarships and fellowships offered by foreign governments or institutions.
A. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SCHEMES The first category of scholarships includes the following schemes:
(a) Central Overseas Scholarships Scheme.
(b) Union Territories Overseas Scholarships.42
43
(c) Foreign Languages Scholarships Scheme.
(d) Fully Paid Overseas Scholarships Scheme.
(e) Overseas Scholarships for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes and Other Backward Classes Students.
(f) Passage Grants for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes
and Other Backward Classes Students.
(g) Agatha Harrison Fellowship.
B. (1) SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS INSTITUTED UNDER
UNITED NATIONS AND UNESCO This category of scholarships includes the following schemes:
(a) U.N. Social Welfare Scholarships and Fellowships
Programme.44
The Government of India or the sponsoring authority has to meet the inland cost, actual passport, visa and medical examination tees and 50 per cent of the cost of round-trip air travel, and the rest of the expenditure is met by the United Nations. The six candidate of 1959 who went in 1960-61 have returned after completing their study/observation abroad. Recommendations for five Fellowships for 1960 have been sent to the United Nations authorities, whose approval is awaited.
(b) Unesco Grants for Regional Cultural Studies (1960).
(c) Unesco Fellowships for Study of journalism (1960).
(d) Unesco Fellowship for Production of Books (1960).
(e) Unesco-That Government Fellowships (1961).
B. (2) COMMONWEALTH EDUCATION COOPERATION PLAN
2
A significant development in Commonwealth cooperation emerged at the Commonwealth Education Conference held at Oxford in July 1959 which, in its turn, arose out of the Commonwealth Ministers Trade and Economic Conference held at Montreal in September 1958 which stressed "the great importance of education and training as an indispensable condition of development". India participated in the Oxford Conference and the leader of the Indian Delegation was Dr. A. L. Mudaliar. The Conference drew up a four-fold plan as follows:-(i) Commonwealth Scholarships/Fellowships Plan; (ii) Training of Teachers; (iii) Supply of Teachers for Service in Countries of Commonwealth other than their Own; and (iv) Technical Education. The Plan was intended to set in -motion constructive efforts to share resources to ever greater common advantage so that all the peoples of the Commonwealth would reap the benefit, and the bonds which bind them together would be strengthened by service given and received.
Under the Education Cooperation Plan, offers of scholarships were received from some of the Commonwealth countries and were availed of as follows during the year under review:
(i) U.K.-39 candidates were selected against 40 awards offered.
(ii) Canada.-15 candidates were selected against 14 awards offered.
(iii) Australia.-Seven nominations have been made. No indication have been received as to whether any of these have been awarded a scholarship.
45
(iv) New Zealand.-Two nominations have been made. No indications have been received as to whether any of these have been awarded a scholarship.
No nominations have been made for the awards offered by Malaya, Hong Kong, Kenya, Uganda and Tanganiyka which were on an all Commonwealth basis with no specific allotment for India.
For 1961-62 the following offers have been received:-the U.K. Government-40 awards; Canada-16 awards; and Ceylon- three awards on an all-Commonwealth basis. These offers are now being processed.. The awards mentioned in this paragraph also include those for scientific subjects which are dealt with in the Ministry of Scientific Research and Cultural Affairs.
Under this Plan, separate awards have also been offered for teacher training. Of the bursaries offered by the U.K. Government for 1960-61, three teachers (two from West Bengal and one from the Punjab) were selected and they are pursuing their studies at the Leeds University. For 1961-62, the U.K. Government have again offered teacher training bursaries and applications have been invited from the State Governments.
The following foreign Governments offered scholarships to Indian nationals during 1960-61:
1. French Government Nine scholarships for Postgraduate study
in the Humanities in France;-the nine
selected candidates are studying in
France.
2. Bulgarian Government One scholarship for postgraduate study of
Slav language;-the selected candidate is
studying abroad.
3. Danish Government Two scholarships for postgraduate study
in Adult Education;--the two selected
candidates are studying in Denmark.
4.East German Government Five scholarships for teachers for study
of German language in East Germany the
offer Is under consideration.
5 Israel Government One scholarship for postgraduate study in
the Humanities in Israel:-the offer is
under consideration.
6. Spanish Government One scholarship for postgraduate study of
Spanish language in Spain;-the name of
the candidate recommended has been
approved by the Spanish Government and
he is expected to go shortly.
7. Swedish Government Two scholarships for postgraduate study of
Folk High School and its Implementation in
India's in Sweden;-one of the selected
candidates is studying abroad and the other
is expected to go shortly.
8. Turkish Government One scholarship for study of Turkish language
in Turkey;-the selected candidate has
gone abroad.
9. West German Government 12 scholarships for postgraduate study in
the Humanities in West Germany;-
applications have been invited and the
candidates will go in 1961-62.
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The Government of India meet the passage expenses in cases where such expenses are not provided under the foreign awards.
The following foreign institutions offered scholarships or Fellowships to Indian nationals during 1960-61:
1. British Council, London 14 scholarships for postgraduate
study in the Humanities in the U.
K.;--12 selected candidates are
studying abroad; the awards of the
remaining two were cancelled as the
declined the offer.Applications for
eight scholarships for 1961-62 have
been received by the Regional
Offices of the British Council in
India; selections are expected to
be made by the middle of February,
1961.
2. Canadian Council One Fellowship for postgraduate
study of Psychology in Canada;-the
award has been made by the
Council direct.The offer of 65
Fellowships(available on a world-
wide basis) for 1961-62 has been
received and applications invited.
3. Canadian Women's Press Club One visiting Fellowship for an.
Indian woman journalist;-the award
was made by the Club direct.
4. Hellenic Lines, New York. Three free passages for study in
the U.S A.;-the three selected
candidates have gone abroad.
5. Imperial Relations Trust Two Fellowships for investigation
(London University Institu- in live educational problems of
te of Education) Fellowships the country at the Institute;-
the two selected candidates are
studying abroad. Applications for
two Fellowships for 1961-62 have
been invited.
The expenditure on the above scholarships is borne by the awarding authority or the candidate or the sponsoring authority, except in the case of the Imperial Relations Trust Fellowships where the expenditure is borne by the Government of India and the Trust on a 50 : 50 basis.
These facilities fall into two groups: (A) Scholarships offered by the Government of India; and (B) Scholarships and Fellowships offered by other Agencies.
These include the following schemes:
(a) General Scholarships Scheme.47
selected for 1960-61, 116 are prosecuting their studies here; three are expected to come during the current financial year. In all, 430 scholars are studying at present under the Scheme.
(b) Commonwealth Education Cooperation Plan.
(c) French Fellowships Scheme.
(d) Indo-German Industrial Cooperation Scheme.
(e) Reciprocal Scholarships Scheme.
(f) Scholarships to Bhutanese Students.
(g) Scholarships to Sikkimese Students.48
India. Besides, 44 students (30 for 'school study' and 14 for degree/ diploma courses) of the earlier batches are continuing their studies. Selections for 1961-62 scholarships are expected to be made by the end of January, 1961.
(h) Scholarships/Fellowships to South, South-East Asian and
other Countries (Colombo Plan).
During 1960-61, study tour/observation programme for 13 candidates (one each from Belgium, Norway, Chile, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Argentine, Denmark, Spain, Indonesia, and the Philippines) under the auspices of Unesco and one candidate from Nepal under the auspices of T.C.M. have been arranged. Arrangements for study/observation programme for four candidates (one each from Norway, Netherlands, Japan and Chile) are being made under the auspices of Unesco.
4. PROGRAMME FOR THE EXCHANGE OF SCHOLARS ON BILATERAL BASIS In recent years, in furtherance of the policy of developing cultural ties, the Government of India have had recourse to bilateral agreements for the exchange of scholars between countries. At the present time, such programmes are in force with China, Rumania and the U.S.S.R. Consideration is also being given to the adoption of such programmes with the U.A.R. and Yugoslavia. Brief details of the programmes at present in force are given below:
(a) Exchange of Scholars between India and China.Four Indian scholars of the 1958-59 batch are in China pursuing their studies of the Chinese languages. Six scholars would be selected to participate in the 1961-62 programme.
(b) Exchange of Scholars between India and Rumania.49
will start work in the academic year 1961-62. Similarly two Indian scholars, selected for the study of Rumanian language, are expected to attend the 1961-62 academic session in Rumania.
(c) Exchange of Scholars between India and the U.S.S.R.-
The fourth class of scholarships, viz., those that are meant for Indian nationals for research or higher studies in India itself, includes three schemes:
(a) Post-Matric Merit Scholarships Scheme.
(b) Scholarships for Higher Studies in Hindi for Students
from non Hindi speaking States.
(c) Research Scholarships in Humanities.-50
The scheme provides for the award of scholarships to the three categories of students for post-matriculation studies in India. Owing to the phenomenal increase in the demands for these scholarships it was decided in 1959-60 to decentralize the scheme and to pass on to the State Governments and the Union Territories, the work of making selections. This, it was anticipated, would rationalise the work in as much as the State Governments and Union Territories are themselves awarding scholarships to these classes. However, the Ministry retains the right to lay down principles for the award of these scholarships so that uniformity may be observed in all the States. The Ministry also provides substantial funds to the States and the Union Territories for this purpose.
The scheme of scholarships in residential schools falls in the sixth category. It provides opportunities of Public school education to those who would not otherwise be in a position to afford it. Scholarships of the total value of Rs. 1 lakh are available every year. During 1960, 57 scholars (of the total of 60 selected) joined their allotted schools; one will join his allotted school in January 1961 and the awards of two have been cancelled. In all, 354 scholars are studying under the scheme at present. Selections for 1961 scholarships are in progress.
This last group of scholarships and other educational facilities for the children of political sufferers has been instituted from 1959- 60. The scheme provides, inter alia, the following concessions: (a) special consideration in the matter of admissions and awards of freeships and halffreeships in all the recognised Primary, Basic, Middle and High 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 the Primary to the postgraduate levels. The scheme is administered by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and the Central Government give grants to the State Government on a 50 per cent basis on the expenditure incurred, while in the case of Union Administrations, the entire expenditure is borne by the Central Government. The Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Mysore, and Orissa and Administrations of Delhi, Manipur and Tripura have so far instituted the Scheme.
The Scheme provides for the grant of loans towards passage and other Incidental expenditure to students with good academic records who have
51
obtained admission in foreign universities or have obtained scholarships etc., from foreign universities, etc. and are still in need of some financial assistance. During 1960-61 (up to 20th December 1960) loans amounting to Rs. 2,200 have been sanctioned to two students while applications of some more students are under consideration. Specific allotments out of the total provision for this Scheme are placed at the disposal of the Indian Missions in the U.K., the U.S.A. and West Germany to assist Indian students in emergent need of funds. A total of Rs. 5,535 have so far been paid to 15 students by these Missions.
-The following financial
provisions have been made on account of the schemes of scholarships
discussed in this Chapter:
Expenditure
Sl. Scholarship Scheme Provision Incurred so Budget
No. for far during Provision
1960-61 the year for
1961-62
RS. Rs. Rs.
1 2 3 4 5
1. Central Overseas Scholarships Scheme 29,500 9,796 17,000
2. Union Territories Overseas Scholarships 19,700 3,892 26,900
3. Foreign Languages Scholarships Scheme 84,000 8,228 1,40,000
4. Fully Paid Overseas Scholarships Scheme 25,100 3,362..
5. Overseas Scholarships for Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other
Backward Classes Students
2,000000 70,850 2,00000
6. Passage Grants for Scheduled Castes,
Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes
7. U. N. Social Welfare Scholarships and
Fellowships Programme 26,000 17,541 26,000
8. Second Commonwealth Education Conference *2,00,000
9. Scholarships Offered by Foreign Governments
(This is intended to cover passage costs
where these are not provided in the award) 15,000 9,603 15,000
10.General Scholarships Scheme 15,60,000 11,21,911 15,00,000
11.Commonwealth Scholarships/Fellowships Plan 1,50,000 3,00,000
12.French Fellowships Scheme 10,000 2,775 10,000
13.Indo-German Industrial Cooperation Scheme 15,000 18,783 15,000
14.Reciprocal Scholarships Scheme. 26,000 15,650 26,000
15.Scholarships to Bhutanese and Sikkimese
Students 2,25,000 1,52,892 3,57,000
16.Scholarships/Fellowships to South, South
East Asian and other Countries
(Colombo Plan) 1,75,500 62,887 1,75,200
(This
amount had
been asked
for from
Ministry of
Finance).
*Provision has been made in Secondary Education Division's over-all budget.
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1 2 3 4 5
17.Programme for Exchange of Scholars between
India and China :
(a) for Chinese nationals 9,000 5,708 9,000
(b) for Indian nationals 2,000 2,261 14,500
18.Programme for Exchange of Scholars between
India and Rumania:
(a) for Rumanian nationals
(b) for Indian nationals 2,400
19.Programme for Exchange of Scholars between
India and U.S.S.R.:
(a) for Russian nationals ` 6,700 10,500
(b) for Indian nationals 1,500 1,500
20.Post-Matric Merit Scholarships Scheme 9,40,000 5,38,252 9,60,00
21.Scholarships for Higher Studies in Hindi
for Students from non-Hindi Speaking States 3,00,000 1,68,231 3,42,000
22.Research Scholarships in Humanities 2,25,000 1,27,971 2,25,000
23.Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes
and Other Backward Classes Scholarships
Scheme for Post-Matriculation Studies
in India 2,18,55,000 2,19,42,300 2,22,63,000
24.Merit Scholarships in Residential School 4,90,000 2,87,268 5,20,000
25.Scholarships /other Educational Facilities
to the children of Political Sufferers 2,00,000 1,05,403 3,00,000
26.Partial Financial Assistance (Loan) Scheme 15,000 5,535 15,000
NOTE : In addition, an amount of Rs. 1,36,000 was provided
for 1960-61, for Government Scholarships for Advanced Studies
in the U.K. under Charges in England. An expenditure of Rs.
48,290 has been incurred so far. A sum of Rs. 1,20,000 is
being provided for 1961-62. The provision of Rs. 1,36,000
for 1960-61 includes an amount of Rs. 10,700 and Rs. 7,332
for Agatha Harrison Fellowship and Imperial Relations Trust
Fellowships respectively. An equal amount for these two
schemes is being provided for 1961-62.