APPENDIX A(h)-
REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT OF
 INDIA'S OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS
 SCHEME
 

A report was made to the Central Advisory Board of Education at their 18th meeting held in January, 1951, with regard to the progress of the Overseas Scholar. ships Scheme. Further report is submitted herewith.

The Overseas Scholarships Scheme was initiated by the Government of India in 1945 with the main object of sending abroad for training a certain number of students at Government expense for advance Courses in Technical and Scientific subjects directly related to post-war needs. Under this Scheme selections were made in 1945, 1946 and 1947. Out of 478 scholars sponsored by Government of India and 413 sponsored by 'A' State Governments, 436 Central and 367 States sponsored scholars have returned to this country after completion of their training. 83 per cent of the Central Scholars and 70 per cent of State Governments scholars returned have been suitably employed. There figures are correct upto 31st January, 1952. The remaining scholars are expected to return to this country during this year. This scheme was not continued in 1948.

In 1947 the Government appointed an Overseas Scholarships Committee popularly known as Roy Committee to review the progress of the Overseas Scholar ships Scheme and to make recommendations for its continuance or otherwise on the basis of experience gained in the working of the Scheme. The Committee recommended inter alia that the scope of the Overseas Scholarships Scheme should be enlarged so as to take into account the needs of the country as a whole and not only those of Departments of Governments, Central and Provincial, and that the needs of the Universities, Research Institutions, Statutory Bodies like Port Trusts and Improvement Trusts and Public Utility concerns as well as of Industry generally should also be catered for. It was also recommended that financial sanction should be granted for the Scheme for a period of five years and not from year to year. The Government, however, could sanction the modified Overseas Scholarships Scheme for a period of one year only and could place only a limited sum at the disposal of the Ministry of Education for the implementation of the Scheme. The result was that only 17 teachers employed in certain Universities and other educational institutions and four scholars could be sent for training. 17 scholars have already returned and joined their old post. The remaining are expected to return this year except the four scholars who were sent for training for two to three years period. This Scheme was not continued in 1951-52.

The Government have now under consideration the question of reviving this Scheme again and to sanction it for a period of another three years. The selections under this Scheme will be restricted to teachers employed in Universities and other comparable institutions in order to enable them to raise their standard of instruction and research and to impart highly specialised training in the country so that it may become progressively unnecessary for students to go abroad for training. About 75 teachers are expected to be trained under this Scheme.