Financial assistance to students studying abroad

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF  HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

RAJYA SABHA

ANSWERED ON-21.07.2014

Financial assistance to students studying abroad

ANSWER

(a) to (e) The Government is implementing the following schemes for providing financial assistance to students belonging to economically backward classes for their study abroad :-

1. Padho Pardesh :- This scheme is implemented by Ministry of Minority Affairs. Padho Pardesh is a scheme of Interest Subsidy on educational loan on overseas studies for the meritorious and economically weaker students belonging to Minority Communities. For availing the benefit of the scheme, the total income from all sources of the employed candidates or his/her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed Rs. 6.00 Lac per annum. Under the Scheme, 100% interest subsidy is provided on educational loan availed by the students, enrolled for course at Masters, M. Phil and Ph.D. levels, for overseas studies under the existing educational loan scheme of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Physical target and financial allocation under the scheme for the year 2014-15 is 100 beneficiaries and Rs. 4 Crore respectively.

2. National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Students : This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to meritorious Scheduled Tribe students for pursuing higher studies of Master level courses, Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Research Programmes in foreign universities in the field of Engineering, Technology and Science whose parental income does not exceed Rs.6. lac per annum. The selected candidates are given cost of tuition and other educational fee charged by foreign universities, maintenance and other grants along with travel expenses. Physical target and financial allocation under the scheme for the year 2014-15 is 20 (17 ST and 3 Primitive Tribal Group) beneficiaries and Rs. 1.0 Crore respectively.

3. National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste etc.: This scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment . Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided for pursuing Master level course and Ph.D. abroad. The family income ceiling of the candidates/parents is Rs.6.00 lac per annum. The number of awards available is 60 per annum. An amount of Rs.6.00 crore has been provided under the scheme.

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