SCHOLARSHIPS

The schemes of scholarships in the fields of education and science are designed to serve the twin purpose, firstly to ensure that the able students get a full measure of educational facilities unhampered by financial handicaps and secondly to equalize educational opportunities by providing special assistance particularly to students belonging to socially and economically weaker sections of the society. The scholarships schemes in scientific research and technical education are meant to promote development in these fields, to help improve the standard of teaching and research and to meet the shortage of trained personnel. Scholarships in the cultural field are awarded for encouraging young persons of outstanding promise in the various activities.

In order to accelerate the pace of development of education, science and technology and to meet the shortage of trained personnel in different fields, the Government of India has also been accepting offers of scholarships and fellowships for study/research/training of Indian nationals abroad made by foreign, governments and organisations. As a measure of reciprocity and to promote cultural relations with other countries, the Government of India has also been offering scholarships and fellowships to the nationals of other countries for study in India.

During the year under report, a number of scholarships schemes were in operation which can be classified into the following sections:

I. Scholarships for Indian Nationals for Study in India

II. Scholarships for Indian Nationals for Study Abroad

III. Scholarships for Students Belonging to Scheduled Castes, etc.

IV. Programme of Exchange of Scholars

V. Scholarships for Foreign National for Study in India.

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Budget provision under the above schemes is made in respect of continuing scholars as well as fresh scholars selected during, each particular year.

I. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN NATIONALS FOR STUDY IN INDIA

(i) National Scholarships Schemes:

The scheme which is intended to provide post-matriculation studies to deserving and meritorious students, was instituted in 1961-62 with 2,400 scholarships to be awarded during each year of the third Plan. In 1965-66, the number of scholarships was 2,650. During 1966-67 the number of scholarships was increased to 7,000 and, the same number of scholarships will be awarded during 1967-68

The awards are pre-allocated to the various eligible examinations held by the different examining bodies all over India. The selections are made from the top of the merit lists and are announced along with the declaration of examination results. Entitlement cards are supplied to the examining bodies to enable the scholars to join the institutions of their choice, anywhere in India without payment of admission and other fees. An authorised officer of each State Government/Union Territory is empowered to draw the scholarship money in respect of the scholars immediately on receipt of the relevant documents and sends the same to the heads of the concerned institutions who in turn deposit the same in local treasuries and draw from them every month according to need.

(ii) National Loan Scholarships Scheme:

Instituted in 1963-64, the scheme provides for the award of interest-free loan scholarships to needy and meritorious students tenable for the completion of the course. The maximum limit of loan varies. from stage to stage. The loan is recoverable in monthly instalments commencing one year after the loanee secures employment or three years after the termination of the scholarships, whichever is earlier. The scheme extends a special privilege to such of the loanees as join the teaching profession after completing their, studies. In their case one tenth of the loan is written off every year of service put in.

During 1966-67, 18,500 fresh awards were made and the same number is proposed to be given in 1967-68, subject to the availability of requisite funds. The awards were distributed in

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the various States and Union Territories in the ratio of their population.

(iii) Scholarships for the Children of Primary and Secondary School Teachers:

In recognition of the services rendered by and with a view to giving financial assistance to the teachers, the scheme was launched in 1961-62. The children of teachers who pass their school-leaving or P.U.C. examination with 60 per cent marks or more are eligible for this scholarship. The selections are made from the top of the merit lists. Seven hundred and fifty fresh awards were given under the scheme during 1966-67 as against 500 during 1965-66. The same number is proposed to be given in 1967-68.

(iv) Scholarships in Residential and Public Schools:

Designed to provide opportunities of good school education to those who would not otherwise be in a position to afford it, the scheme has provision for 200 fresh scholarships each year. Selections for all the 200 awards during 1966-67 have been completed and the same number of awards will be made during 1967-68 also.

(v) Scholarships to Young Workers in Different Cultural Fields:

The scheme is intended to provide opportunities to talented young persons, for advanced training in Hindustani music (vocal and instrumental), Karnatak music (vocal and instrumental), classical Western music, Rabindra Sangeet, folk song, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, Oddissi, folk dances, drama and fine arts (painting and sculpture). Every year, 25 scholarships are awarded under the scheme and selections for the awards tenable during 1967-68 have almost been completed.

(vi) Scholarships and Educational Facilities for Children of Political Sufferers:

The scheme provides for the following con- cessions for children of political sufferers: (a) special considera- tion in the matter of admissions and award of freeships and halffreeships in all recognised primary, Basic, middle and high and higher secondary schools, (b) free seats in hostels attached to recognized schools and colleges, and (c) a limited number of stipends and book grants to students from primary to postgraduate level. For the implementation of the scheme, which is administered by the State Governments and Union Administra-

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tions, the Union Government gives grants to the State Governments on a 50 : 50 basis, while in the case of the Union Administrations, it meets the entire expenditure.

(vii) Scholarships to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking States for Post-Matric Studies in Hindi:

The scheme is intended to promote the study of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking States so as to make available to them trained personnel for the teaching of Hindi and for other posts where knowledge of Hindi is required. The number of awards, which was 10 in 1955-56, has been increasing every year. During 1966-67, 500 fresh scholarships were awarded under the scheme, while during 1967-68, 1000 scholarships are proposed to be given.

(viii) Practical Training Stipend Scheme:

Practical training is being provided, under this scheme, to fresh graduates and diploma-holders in engineering and technology in order to condition them for gainful employment in Industry. The stipends of the value of Rs. 250 and Rs. 150 p.m. are awarded to the graduates and diploma- trainees respectively. The duration of the training is one to two years. During 1966-67 practical training for about 2000 graduates and diploma-holders was arranged. The practical training for all mining graduates and diploma-holders is also arranged under the Scheme. For this purpose a Directorate of Practical Training has been set up at Dhanbad. During 1966-67, practical training for about 700 mining engineers was arranged.

(ix) Research Training Scholarships and Research Fellowships Scheme:

Fellowships under this scheme have been instituted to enable deserving talented students to engage in scientific research and thus acquire the necessary knowledge and experience for holding research position later and to give impetus to the development of research in universities and other educational centres. The value of scholarship is Rs. 250 p.m. tenable for the period of three years.

To encourage brilliant scholars to do research in science sub- jects at post-doctorate level, research fellowship of the value of Rs. 400 p.m. tenable for a period of three to four years is awarded. During the year 1966-67 one fellow was working under the scheme.

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(x) Merit-cum-Means Scholarships Scheme : During the period under review, 2220 scholarships of the value of Rs. 75 p.m. for degree and 2100 scholarships of the value of Rs. 50 p.m. for diploma courses in engineering and technology were instituted.

II. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN NATIONALS FOR STUDY ABROAD

A. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SCHEME

(i) Foreign Languages Scholarships Scheme:

The scheme is intended to give scholarships to Indian nationals for specialisation in foreign languages. It has not been in operation since 1964-65 and the question of its continuance is under consideration. The budget provision is in respect of scholars who are abroad from previous batches.

(ii) Union Territories Overseas Scholarships:

The scheme is intended to provide scholarships for higher studies to persons who by birth and or by domicile are residents of the Union Territories. Due to tight foreign exchange position, the scheme was held in abeyance during 1966-67. The Budget provision is in respect of the old scholars who are studying abroad from previous batches.

(iii) Partial Financial Assistance (Loan) Scheme:

This scheme provides for the grant of loans towards passage and other incidental expenses to deserving and such academically distinguished students as have obtained admission in foreign universities, etc. for subject fields for which adequate facilities are not available in India. During 1966-67, such loans were sanctioned to 49 students.

B.COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS PLAN AND COMMONWEALTH EDUCATION AND CO-OPERATION SCHEME

The Commonwealth Education Conference held in July, 1959, recommended a number of measures to enrich countries of the Commonwealth by enabling an increasing 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

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the last 7 years, and during the year under report scholarships were offered to India by the following countries:

(i) Australia :

Five candidates were nominated for the awards for the year 1967-68 of which two candidates have been awarded scholarships. The Australian authorities have invited five nominations for 1968-69.

(ii) Canada:

Out of the 40 candidates nominated for the scholarships offered by the Government of Canada for the year 1966-67, 28 who were finally selected by the Canadian authorities, have already left for that country. Eighteen candidates have been nominated for 1967-68.

(iii) Ceylon:

Of the 3 candidates nominated for the award for 1966, only one candidate was approved by the Government of Ceylon. That Government has invited 3 nominations for 1967.

(iv) Ghana:

The two candidates nominated for the awards for 1966 were not finally selected. Two nominations have been invited by the Ghana authorities for 1967.

(v) Hong Kong:

The Government of Hong Kong did not select two candidates nominated for the 1966 awards offered by them. Nominations have been invited by them for 1967.

(vi) Jamaica:

The Government of Jamaica have not accepted the two nominations made for the 1966 awards. Two nominations have been invited by them again for 1967.

(vii) New Zealand:

Against five nominations made for the 1967-68 awards, 3 candidates have been selected by the New Zealand Government. They have asked for five nominations for 1968-69.

(viii) United Kingdom:

Forty-four scholarships offered by the Government of the United Kingdom for 1966-67 have been utilized. For these awards, 67 nominations were made for 1967-68.

Against sixty-seven nominations invited by the United Kingdom authorities for about 40 scholarships for 1967-68, 71 candidates have been nominated. The four additional candidates have been nominated for awards in medical subjects.

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(ix) United Kingdom Teacher Training Bursaries:

The 29 teacher training bursaries, offered by the Government of the United Kingdom for 1966-67, have been utilized. Thirty-nine candidates have been nominated for the bursaries offered by the Government of the United Kingdom for 1967-68.

C. SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, ORGANISATION OR INSTITUTIONS

1. Austria

An offer of 4 scholarships for postgraduate studies was utilized in 1966-67.

2. Belgium

An offer of 5 scholarships for postgraduate studies was utilized during the year under report.

3. Czechoslovakia

The approval of the Government of Czechoslovakia to the selection of candidates nominated by the Government of India for the seven scholarships offered by them for 1966-67 is awaited.

4. Finland.

Nominations of candidates have been sent to the Finnish Gov- ernment for 2 scholarships offered by them for training technology and metallurgy. Their approval is awaited.

5. France

(a) For Higher Studies: The Government of France offered 50 scholarships to Indian nationals for higher/postgraduate study during 1966-67 in humanities, science, technology, fine arts, agriculture, medicine, architecture, town planning, veterinary science, etc. Of these, 35 candidates have already left for France and the rest are likely to go shortly.

(b) For Specialised Training: The Government of France offered 37 scholarships for Indian nationals to receive specialised training during 1966-67 in archaeology, museology, medicine, public health sciences, applied scientific research, radio television, cinema, statistics, general planning, French language,

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archives, organisations and methods of teaching of scientific/ technology/educational subjects, mathematics, entomology, engineering and technology, etc. Of these, 13 scholars have already gone to France and the remaining 24 are likely to go shortly.

(c) For Specialised Training in Theatre, Arts and Music: Three Indian nationals have gone to France on scholarships offered by the Government of France during 1966-67.

6. Federal Republic of Germany

(a) Practical Training of Polytechnic Teachers: An offer of 15 scholarships was made by the Government of Federal Republic of Germany for practical training of the polytechnic teachers during the year 1966. All the selected scholars have left for that country.

(b) M/s. Vorwerk Scholarships for Training of Technical and Managerial Personnel: An offer of 10 scholarships for training in West Germany was utilized.

(c) Practical Training of Plastics and Synthetic Products Manufacture: Against an offer of 4 to 5 scholarships, 5 nominations were made. The decision of the Government of West Germany on these nominations is awaited.

(d) Scheme for Engineering Education at Technical Colleges in West Germany: An offer of 8 scholarships received from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is being processed

(e) Scholarships by the German Academic Exchange Service Against an offer of 18 scholarships for advanced work and research during 1966, 12 scholars left for the Federal Republic of Germany and one was yet to go. The remaining 5 scholars declined the awards. Nominations have been sent for the 18 scholarships offered for 1967.

The same organization had also made an offer of 16 scholarships for advanced work and research for the personnel of 7 specified universities and one specified technical institute. Eighteen nominations were sent, of which five were selected. Of these five, 4 have left for West Germany and one has declined the offer.

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(f) Fellowships by the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation: An offer of fellowships (number not specified) by the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany was received for which 21 candidates have been nominated.

7. German Democratic Republic

(a) For Practical Training: The approval of the German Democratic Republic authorities to the final selection of 30 can- didates for scholarships for practical training in various fields has been received. The selected scholars are required to reach that country early in April, 1967.

(b) For Postgraduate Studies: The German Democratic Republic Government offered 10 scholarships for postgraduate studies in that country. Approval of four candidates has since been received. The selected scholars were required to reach that country by the end of March, 1967. Approval of the remaining 6 candidates is awaited.