 APPENDIX A (h) : 
REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT OF
 INDIA SCHEME OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO
 SCHEDULED CASTES, SCHEDULED
 TRIBES AND OTHER BACKWARD
 CLASSES.

A budget provision of Rs. 130 lakhs was originally made for these scholarships for 1955-56 but considering the large number of applications received for inland scholarships, the Government of India raised the grant to Rs. 150 lakhs.

Inland Scholarships

The number of scholarships awarded for 1955-56 is as under:-

        
        
                  Community                               Number of awards
                                                           (Approximate)
        
        
             Scheduled Castes.                                 16,400
             
             Scheduled Tribes.                                  3,100
             
             Other Backward Classes                            11,000
        
                                                Total          30,500

These awards cover the following categories of candidates-

1. Renewal of Scholarships

1954-55 scholarship-hollers who have applied for renewal of their scholarships during 1955-56 provided they have passed the last annual examination and readmitted to the next higher class.

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II. Fresh Scholarships

(a) Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes

All eligible candidates whose applications were received in time and who were admitted to the next higher class on passing the last annual examination.

(b) Other Backward Classes

(i) All eligible first class men candidates.

(ii) All eligible women students securing 55% and above marks.

(iii) Some candidates with lower marks in some of the States whose quota of scholarships is more than the available number of first class men candidates and women candidates securing 55% and above marks.

In order to have effective coordination between the Government of India and the State Governments in the award of scholarships to these classes, a circular letter was issued in July, 1955 to all State Governments informing them about categories of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students to be selected for fresh awards and renewals of scholarships and also of the categories of Other Backward Classes students for renewals of scholarships as was done during 1954-55. By a subsequent letter issued in November 1955, the State Governments were informed of the categories of Other Backward Classes students to be selected for fresh awards. The decision on the awards to this group was reached in October, 1955, when additional funds amounting to Rs. 20 lakhs were sanctioned. The circular letters were also sent to all Heads of Institutions requesting them not to press for payment of fees, etc., from these categories of students till the scholarship amounts in respect of them are received.

Overseas Scholarships

For 1955-56, 12 scholarships, four to each of the three groups, viz., Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes were to be awarded. The Scheduled Castes group was awarded only three scholarships in view of the fact that suitable candidates were not available from that group while the number of scholarships awarded to Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes group was four and five respectively. For 1956-57 also. selection of candidates from these classes will be made on the recommendations of the Union Public Service Commission.

Passage Grants

Five candidates who were in receipt of Overseas Scholarships from other sources without passage costs were allowed free tourist/second class sea passage out of the funds available for the Scheme.

Conclusion