SCHOLARSHIPS
The Ministry of Education and Social Welfare is operating several Schemes 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 scholarship schemes 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 assist poor but meritorious students to pursue their academic career. The Scheme which was started in 1961 has been continued from year to year. Under this Scheme scholarships are awarded on a merit-cum-means basis to the students passing School Leaving Examinations and the First Degree Examinations conducted by various Universities/Boards of Secondary Education and Examining Bodies in India.
In 1973-74, 12,000 fresh scholarships were awarded. The Sixth Finance Commission in its recommendations took into account the financial requirements of the States towards scholarships under educational schemes 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 1974-75 and 1975-76 three thousand scholarships were awarded each year over and above 12,000 awarded by State Governments from the aforesaid provision made available to them on the basis of the recommendations of the Sixth Finance Commission. Keeping in view the recommendations of the Estimates Committee (Fifth Lok Sabha) in its 79th Report that the number of scholarships under this Scheme should be increased, it is proposed to award in 1976-77 about 5,000 fresh scholarships over and above 12,000 to be awarded by the State Governments'. For this purpose a sum of Rs. 112.41 lakhs (Rs. 108 lakhs under Plan and Rs. 4.41 lakhs under Non-Plan) has been provided in the budget estimates for 1976-77.
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(ii) National Loan Scholarships Scheme The main object of this Scheme is to provide financial assistance to needy and meritorious students to complete their education. The Scheme which was started in 1963-64 has been continued from year to year since then. As in previous years, 20,000 fresh scholarships are likely to be awarded under this Scheme on an all India-basis during 1976-77 as well. For this purpose a budget provision of Rs. 90 lakhs under Plan and Rs. 332.07 lakhs under Non-Plan has been made.
(iii) National Scholarships for the Children of Primary and
Secondary School Teachers This Scheme was started in 1961 as a token of recognition of the services rendered by School Teachers to enable their meritorious children to pursue higher education. It has been continued from year to year thereafter. In 1973-74, 500 fresh scholarships were awarded under this Scheme. In accordance with the recommendations of the Sixth Finance Commission the State Governments have been provided with requisite funds at the same level as reached at the end of 1973-74 and accordingly scholarships have been awarded at the same level as in 1973-74 from the provision made available to them. It is proposed to increase the number of scholarships to 750 in 1976-1977.
(iv) Scheme of Scholarships at the Secondary Stage for Talented
Children from Rural Areas The objective of this Scheme is to achieve greater equalisation of educational opportunities and provide fillip to the development of rural talent. The Scheme was started in 1971-72 and has been continued thereafter from year to year. Under this Scheme about 10,000 fresh awards (at the rate of 2 scholarships per Community Development Block) are awarded every year. The Sixth Finance Commission in its recommendations took into account the financial requirements of the States towards scholarships under educational schemes 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. From 1974-75 scholar- ships have been awarded at the same level as in 1973-74. The Scheme is to be continued in 1976-77 with the same number of awards as in the current year. The provision made in the Budget Estimates for 1976-77 represents expenditure over and above, the level of expenditure of 1973-74 which has already been provided to the State Governments in pursuance of the recommendations of the Sixth Finance Commission.
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(v) Scheme of Scholarships to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking
States for Post-Matric Sudies 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 are 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. The Scheme was started in 1955-56 and has been continued from year to year thereafter with more and more number of scholarships. During 1975-76 two thousand fresh scholarships were awarded under this Scheme. The Scheme is to be continued in 1976-77 with the same and if possible more number of scholar- ships.
(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 low income and, therefore, are unable to avail themselves of the opportunities of studying in good public/ residential schools. Under this Scheme 500 scholarships are awarded every year to the children in the age-group of 11-12 years whose parental income does not exceed Rs. 500 p.m. Under this Scheme 470 fresh scholarships were given during 1975-76 and 500 scholarships are proposed to be awarded during 1976-77. At present there are 1850 merit scholars studying in 61 public/residential schools approved for the purpose of the Scheme all over the country.
B. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS FOR STUDY ABROAD
(i) Partial Financial Assistance Scheme The scheme provides for the grant of loans towards passages 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 Missions in the U.S.A., the U.K. and West Germany. During 1975-76 such loans have been granted to 17 students.
(ii) Scheme of National Scholarships for Study Abroad The Scheme is intended to provide financial assistance to meritorious students who do not have the means to go abroad
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for further studies. A total number of 50 scholarships are earmarked every year under the scheme. In general, the scholarships are available for Post-graduate studies leading to Ph.D. Degree and Post- Doctoral research as well as training. However, a few scholarships are reserved for under-graduate courses also.
Only those candidates whose, parental income is less than Rs. 1000 per month from all sources are eligible for the award of scholarships. At present 165 scholars are studying abroad under the scheme. Each scholar is entitled to a maintenance allowance at the rate of $ 3000 per annum in the U.S.A. and 900 (in Pound) per annum in the U.K. and other countries. Besides, the Government of India also defrays tuition fees and all other compulsory charges, cost of books, equipment etc. on behalf of the scholar.
(iii) Scholarships under Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellow-
ships Plan
(a) Australia One scholarship was awarded under the 1975 scheme.
(b) Canada 10 scholarships were awarded under the 1975 Scheme.
(c) United Kingdom (i) 30 Scholarships were awarded under the 1975 Scheme.
(ii) Against an offer of 30 fellowships in 1975, 35 candidates were nominated for the 1-Year Awards under the Commonwealth Education Fellowships, U.K.
(iii) Against an offer of 30 fellowships for 1976, 36 candidates have been nominated.
(iv) Against an offer of 20 Short-term fellowships under the Commonwealth Education Fellowships Scheme 1975, 27 candidates were nominated; out of this 12 awards have been made so far.
(iv) Scholarships/Fellowships offered by Foreign Governments
Organisations/Institutions
1. Arab Republic of Egypt 12 Candidates have been nominated.
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2. Austria (i) out of 20 candidates nominated against the offer of an unspecified number of scholarships for 1974-75, Austrian Government finally accepted 11 candidates. Against the offer of scholarships made for' 1975-76, 10 candidates have been selected.
(ii) 4 candidates have been recommended to Austrian authorities for their approval against the offer of an unspecified number of scholarships for Post-Graduate training course, in Animal Management and Reproductive Biology in 1976-77.
3. Belgium 15 candidates were recommended against an offer of 10 scholarships, for Post-graduate studies/research for 1975-76.
4. Bulgaria Against an offer of 3 Scholarships for 1973-74, 3 candidates, were selected.
5. Czechoslovakia (i) Against an offer of 5 Czechoslovak Scholarships 1975-76, 6 candidates have been recommended.
(ii) Under the COMECON Scholarships, 1975-76, 5 candidates have been approved by Czechoslovak authorities.
6. Denmark (i) 9 candidates who were selected against 1974-75 offer,. left for Denmark during 1975.
(ii) Against an offer of scholarships for 1975-76 for Post- graduate studies, 5 candidate have been finally approved by the banish Authorities.
7. Federal Republic of Germany (i) 8 candidates left for West Germany under the German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship Scheme 1975.
(ii) Under the 1976 Scheme, 11 scholars have been nominated.
8. Finland 7 candidates have been nominated under the Finnish Government Scholarships for 1974-75.
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9. France (i) 5 candidates have been nominated against the 1976-77 offer.
(ii) Of the 20 candidates nominated under the French Government Scholarships for higher studies, 1975-76, approval in respect of 18 candidates has been received. 10 G. D. R.
15 candidates were recommended against an offer of 10 scholarships under the, G.D.R. Government Scholarships for Post- graduate studies, 1973-75.
11. Greece Against the offer of scholarships for 1975-76, extension has been granted to the scholars already in Greece.
12. Hungary 6 candidates have been nominated under the exchange of scholars between India and Hungary in 1975.
13. Italy (i) 6 Selected candidates left for Italy under the Italian 'Government Scholarships, 1975-76.
(ii) 2 Selected candidates have left for Italy under the Italian Government Scholarships (ISVE), 1975-76.
(iii) of the 3 nominated candidates, one candidate has been approved, under the Italian Government Scholarships in Hydrology, 1975-76.
14. Japan (i) Against an offer of 8 scholarships, 7 candidates have been selected and they left for Japan, under the Japanese Government Scholarships, 1975-76.
(ii) 2 candidates have been selected under the Japan Foundation Fellowships for 1975-76. They left for Japan.
15. Netherlands Against an offer of an, unspecified number of fellowships for 1975-76, 38 candidates have been finally approved by the Dutch authorities.
16. Norway 7 candidates were awarded Norwegian Fellowships, 1975-76, Out of these one declined the offer and the others left for Norway.
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17. Poland (i) 4 candidates have been selected against an offer of 9 scholarships for 1974-75.
(ii) 5 candidates have been recommended to the Polish authorities for approval under the Polish Government Scholarships for 1975-76.
18. Romania (i) Out of 10 candidates selected under the 1974-75 offer, 4 candidate% left for Romania.
(ii) 12 candidates have been nominated against an offer of 14 scholarships under the Romanian Government Scholarships for 1975-76.
19. Sweden One selected candidate left for Sweden for the International Seminar in Physics in the University of Uppsala, Sweden, 1975-76.
20. Turkey Against an offer of 4 scholarships, 4 candidates have been nominated under the Turkish Government Scholarships, 1975-76.
21. U. K. (i) Against an offer of 10 scholarships, 10 scholars have left for the U.K. under the British Council Scholarships for 1975-76.
(ii) Against an offer of 5 scholarships, 6 candidates have been nominated under the Confederation of British Industry Overseas Scholarships, 1975-76.
(iii) 2 candidates selected under the Royal Commission Scholarships, 1975-76, have left.
22.U. S. S. R. (i) Under the USSR Government Scholarships for Postgraduate studies/research/higher specialisation, 1975-76 Scheme, 68 scholarships were offered by the Soviet Government. 10 Scholarships under this scheme were allocated for the children of Indian residents in the USSR and the remaining 58 scholarships were advertised. 62 candidates were recommended against this, out of whom 34 candidates Were approved by the USSR authorities. Against the 10 scholarships earmarked for the children of Indian residents in the USSR during 1975-76, 10 candidates have been nominated.
(ii) The Peoples' Friendship University, Moscow authorities offered 22 scholarships for 1975-76. 16 were approved against 22 candidates nominated for these scholarships.
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23. Yugoslavia Again an offer of 5 scholarships under the Yugoslav Government Scholarships for 1973-74 for Agricultural fields, 4 candidates have left for Yugoslavia.
C. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS FOR STUDY IN INDIA
(i) General Cultural Scholarships Scheme Under the Scheme 180 scholarships are awarded every year to the Nationals of African, Asian and other foreign countries for Post- Matriculation studies in India. The Scheme has been evolved to promote friendly relations between India and foreign countries and to provide for the nationals of selected countries all such facilities for higher education and training as are, available in India.
During 1975-76, 180 scholars were selected. 155 scholars have joined the educational institutions in India and the remaining are likely to join the institutions shortly. Scholarships have, been awarded in the fields of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Arts and Humanities. It is proposed to award 180 scholarships to the nationals of 52 countries of Asia, Africa and Middle-East during 1976-77 for which Indian Missions abroad have been notified and the applications have been invited.
(ii) Scheme of Scholarships/Fellowships for Nationals of Bang-
ladesh As part of their assistance to the Government of Bangladesh, the Government of India provide facilities to the students of Bangladesh for study of certain specialised subjects in India. For this purpose the Scheme has been in operation since 1972-73. Against the offer of 100 scholarships, 52 scholars have so far joined the educational institutions in India and about 20 more scholars from Bangladesh are likely to join the institutions during the year 1975-76. Altogether there are 197 scholars from Bangladesh studying various educational institutions at present in the fields of Medicine, Engineering, Technology, Agriculture, Fisheries. Fine Arts and other specialised courses. It is proposed to, offer 100 scholarships again to Bangladesh during 1976-77.