Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes

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By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes is a significant initiative of the Government of India designed to provide financial assistance to students from economically weaker sections of society for pursuing post-matriculation education. Below are detailed aspects of this scheme:

1. Objective

The primary objective of the scheme is to remove financial barriers for students belonging to marginalized sections so that they can continue higher education after matriculation (Class 10). It aims to increase the literacy rate and reduce drop-out rates among these categories.


2. Target Beneficiaries

The scheme targets students belonging to:

  • Scheduled Castes (SC)
  • Scheduled Tribes (ST)
  • Other Backward Classes (OBC)
  • In some cases, students from Economically Backward Classes (EBC) may also be covered under certain states’ schemes.

3. Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality: The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
  • Education Level: The student must have passed Class 10 and be pursuing studies in post-matriculation (Class 11 and above) up to postgraduate or professional courses.
  • Annual Family Income:
    • For SC/ST students: Family income should generally not exceed ₹2.5 lakhs per annum.
    • For OBC students: Family income limit is typically around ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakhs per annum, depending on the state.

4. Scope of Assistance

The assistance covers:

  1. Maintenance Allowance: Monthly financial aid for lodging and boarding.
  2. Tuition Fees: Full reimbursement or payment of tuition and other compulsory fees charged by the educational institution.
  3. Book and Equipment Allowance: For students enrolled in professional courses.
  4. Special Allowance: For students with disabilities to support their educational needs.
  5. Study Tours and Thesis Preparation Allowance: Provided under certain conditions.

5. Key Features

  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the bank account of the eligible students.
  • Renewal of Scholarships: Students need to apply for renewal each year provided they fulfill the academic requirements.
  • Categorization of Courses: The amount disbursed depends on the level and category of the course. Courses are divided into groups such as Group I (engineering, medical), Group II (nursing, pharmacy), etc.

6. Application Process

  1. Online Registration: Most states and institutions require students to register online through national or state-level portals like the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
  2. Submission of Documents:
    • Caste certificate
    • Income certificate
    • Academic certificates
    • Bank passbook details
    • Aadhaar card
  3. Verification Process: Applications are verified by the educational institution and state authorities before approval.

7. State and Central Responsibility

  • The Central Government bears 100% of the expenditure for SC and ST scholarships in Union Territories and a significant portion in other states.
  • State Governments share the expenditure for OBC scholarships.

8. Challenges and Reforms

Some challenges with the scheme include delays in fund disbursement, non-compliance by institutions, and lack of awareness. Efforts are being made to simplify the process and ensure timely payments through technology-enabled platforms like the NSP and integrating Aadhaar for verification.


The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme plays a crucial role in enabling students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education, thereby promoting social equity and empowerment. It has a significant impact on reducing drop-out rates and improving the socio-economic conditions of marginalized communities.

References

Lama, M. (2019). An Evaluation of the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme provided to the tribal students of Darjeeling Municipality. International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research and Management4(4), 155-161.

Sikligar, P. C., & Madurai, N. V. (2006). Provision of Post Matric Scholarship for Development of Weaker Sections: A Study in Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry. Indian Journal of Public Administration52(2), 190-201.

Sharma, S. N. Unveiling the Benefits of Turnitin Software in Academic Writing.

Sharma, S. N. (2018). Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme: A Bold Endeavor Towards Progress. Think India Journal21(4), 197-206.

Umapathi, A., & Venkatramana, C. Higher Education Opportunities in Enhancing Capabilities–The Case of Reimbursement of Tuition Fee Scheme under Post-Matric Scholarships in Andhra Pradesh, India (2008–2012).

Top Ten Scholarships in India

 India offers numerous scholarships to support students across various fields of study. While the availability and criteria for scholarships can vary, here are ten prominent scholarships for Indian students:

  1. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE): Conducted by NCERT, NTSE is a national-level scholarship program for students studying in Class X, providing financial assistance throughout their academic career.

  2. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students: Offered by the Ministry of Education, this scholarship provides financial support to meritorious students from low-income families pursuing higher education.

  3. Dr. Abdul Kalam Scholarship for Medical/Engineering Aspirants: Provided by the Government of India, this scholarship supports financially disadvantaged students pursuing medical or engineering courses.

  4. INSPIRE Scholarship: Funded by the Department of Science and Technology, this scholarship supports students pursuing courses in natural and basic sciences at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

  5. Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship for Doctoral Studies: Offered by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, this scholarship assists Indian nationals for Ph.D. studies in India.

  6. Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme: Implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC), this scheme supports economically disadvantaged students from the northeastern region pursuing higher education.

  7. AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girls: Initiated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), this scheme supports girl students pursuing technical education.

  8. Ramanujan Fellowship: Offered by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), this fellowship supports highly qualified scientists and engineers from India and abroad.

  9. Santoor Women’s Scholarship: Provided by Wipro Consumer Care and Wipro Cares, this scholarship supports economically disadvantaged young women pursuing higher education in specific states.

  10. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY): Conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), KVPY identifies and encourages students interested in research careers in science.

These scholarships cater to various academic levels, fields of study, and socio-economic backgrounds, aiming to support deserving students in pursuing their educational aspirations. Applicants should check the eligibility criteria and application process for each scholarship to apply successfully.


Fully Funded PhD Programs at University of Cambridge, England

Are you holding Master’s degree and looking for fully funded PhD positions? University of Cambridge, England invites online application for multiple funded PhD Programs / fully funded PhD positions in various research areas. 

Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible. Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal. 

1. Fully Funded PhD Position

Summary of PhD Program:

The Oliver Gatty PhD Studentship for full-time study and research training in the fields of Biophysical and Colloid Science is open to graduates in the broad area of biophysics. The Studentship is tenable for up to four years, commencing on the 1st October 2024. Candidates should identify a supervisor and agree on a proposed course of research before making an application.

Application Deadline: 7 January 2024

Apply now

2. Fully Funded PhD Position in Cancer Biology

Summary of PhD Program:

The CRUK Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. By being part of the Centre, students will have the opportunity to attend a number of lecture series, workshops and meetings aimed at facilitating and strengthening collaborations between complimentary disciplines and across different departments and institutes.

Application Deadline: 15 November 2023

Apply now

3. Fully Funded PhD Position in Veterinary Anaesthesia

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited from recently qualified veterinarians for this twelve month post-graduate training programme offering high-quality, post-graduate training in Veterinary Anaesthesia. The emphasis will be on gaining practical clinical experience in Veterinary Anaesthesia under the supervision of board-certified diplomates, and will further prepare the candidate to embark on a 3-year Residency Training Programme in veterinary anaesthesia.

Application Deadline: 19 November 2023

Apply now

 

4. Fully Funded PhD Position in Genetics

Summary of PhD Program:

The Drosophila adult midgut is a homeostatic tissue, in which cells constantly turn over and are replaced by the progeny of intestinal stem cells divisions. These progeny, called enteroblasts, are initially quiescent, lack an apical domain and lie on the basal side of the epithelium. In response to dying cells or signals that expand the gut, the enteroblasts integrate into the epithelium, polarise and form a new apical domain with a typical brush border. Two features of this process are very different from other epithelia in Drosophila. Firstly, enteroblast polarisation does not require any of the canonical epithelial polarity factors that have been identified in other tissues, and it depends instead on adhesion to the basement membrane, as is the case in mammalian epithelia (1).

Application Deadline: 26 November 2023

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5. Fully Funded PhD Position

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited for an Ernest Oppenheimer Studentship to be held at Cambridge University in Colloid Science, as broadly interpreted within the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering. The Studentship is to support research projects directly leading to a PhD. The application should be made by the designated research supervisor, on behalf of the named candidate. Normally, only one application per supervisor will be considered.

Application Deadline: 9 January 2024

Apply now

 

6. Fully Funded PhD Position in Cancer 

Summary of PhD Program:

The Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge is the UK’s only Institute dedicated to the early detection of cancer. This world-leading centre is based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and houses a highly multidisciplinary, collaborative range of experts working to take early detection innovations from bench to bedside and move the world beyond the fear of cancer.

Application Deadline: 22 November 2023

Apply now

 

7. Fully Funded PhD Position in Trophoblast

Summary of PhD Program:

Our PIs are recognized international experts in their fields based across Cambridge in the Departments of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pathology, Genetics, and allied institutes, including the Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, the LMB, Babraham, and Wellcome Sanger Institute. A CTR Studentship is held within the relevant Department or Institute, where an internal Departmental Postgraduate Educational Committee is responsible for administering your degree.

Application Deadline: 16 November 2023

Apply now

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8. Fully Funded PhD Position in Cancer 

Summary of PhD Program:

The CRUK Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. By being part of the Centre, students will have the opportunity to attend a number of lecture series, workshops and meetings aimed at facilitating and strengthening collaborations between complimentary disciplines and across different departments and institutes.

Application Deadline: 15 November 2023

Apply now

 

9. Fully Funded PhD Position in cancer

Summary of PhD Program:

Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) are cells embedded in the tumour microenvironment (TME) along with immune and cancer cells. Recently, some CAF subsets have been associated with poor response to immunotherapy. This has led to the emergence of CAF as potential therapeutic targets, although limited understanding of CAF heterogeneity and lack of CAF-rich mouse models mimicking the human immune-suppressive TME has hampered the efforts to effectively target these cells. The aim of this project is to develop novel models that mimic the immunosuppressed microenvironment of solid tumours and to explore the impact of CAF heterogeneity in immunotherapy resistance.

Application Deadline: 19 November 2023

Apply now


10. 
Fully Funded PhD Position in Multimodal AI-guided tools for early prediction of disease progression in neurodegenerative disorders

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited for 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge and the new AstraZeneca Discovery Centre at Cambridge. The student will be working on a collaborative project jointly supervised by Professor Zoe Kourtzi at Department of Psychology Cambridge in collaboration with AstraZeneca’s Neuroscience (Dr Keith Tan, Dr Andrew Lowe) and Data Science & AI (Dr Philip Teare, Dr Gayathri Mohankumar) teams and will have the opportunity to work across the two sites. The project, entitled ‘Multimodal AI-guided tools for early prediction of disease progression in neurodegenerative disorders’ is in the field of AI for Neuroscience that has generated much excitement in both academia and industry.

Application Deadline: 20 November 2023

Apply now

11. Fully Funded PhD Position in Reading and Writing in Medieval Womens Religious Communities

Summary of PhD Program:

This PhD studentship offers an opportunity to investigate the culture of female religious communities in the Middle Ages, through a study of their surviving manuscripts. We are inviting applicants to propose a project that explores any aspect of women’s conventual life, with the specific aim of bringing together kinds of sources that have rarely been discussed in combination. The themes and structure of the project are entirely open, provided the proposal is interdisciplinary and combines different types of manuscripts in novel, creative, and productive ways.

Application Deadline: 4 January 2024

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12. Fully Funded PhD Position in Philosophy of Wellbeing Policy

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD studentship aims at making explicit the knowledge that exists among practitioners and in the less visible space of implementation of well-being policies and exploring its relevance for evidence-based policy. Using review of a variety of literatures as well as interviews with the staff of What Works Centre Wellbeing and cognate practitioners, this project seeks to reconstruct the methodology behind generation and deployment of wellbeing evidence as it travels between the academy and the practitioners. In addition to being a contribution to wellbeing practice, such a project trials an innovative approach to philosophy of science and applied epistemology more generally. How is localized knowledge relevant to specific practical contexts generated, preserved, and passed on? Does it have a philosophy of its own? Can recovering this knowledge help address deficits in evidence-based practices? In this way this project encourages and supports practice-based research at doctoral level.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

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13. Fully Funded PhD Position in Non-Normative Identities in 20th-21st Century Catalan Cultures

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD student will carry out original research that addresses the presence of minoritarian/non-normative identities within Catalan cultures. The project will need to address the complexities of subaltern expressions of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, migration, and/or class situated in the framework of Catalan cultures, perhaps exploring the nuanced intertwining of identities and nationhood. Applicants will be asked to propose their own PhD research project, based on their qualifications and interests that fits within the general parameters specified.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

 

14. Fully Funded PhD Position in Multilingual teaching, learning and assessment of English in India’s primary schools

Summary of PhD Program:

The PhD student will carry out original research addressing an important gap in recognizing and destigmatizing the use of multiple languages in the classrooms of linguistically diverse societies of the Global South. While multilingualism is the norm in these contexts, there is a need to develop and test the effectiveness of multilingual educational materials for language learning, use and assessment.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

 

15. Fully Funded PhD Position in Physiology, Development & Neuroscience

Summary of PhD Program:

Applicants are invited for two 4-year PhD studentships in the Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience (PDN) from October 2024. These students will join the Cambridge Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme, participate in training and cohort-building events, and undertake a Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS) of 3 months.

Application Deadline: 4 January 2024

Apply now

 

16. Fully Funded PhD Position in Molecular technologies in human health

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited for three studentships to be held at the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry in the group of Professor Tuomas Knowles. The studentships are part of an active collaboration with the leading pharma company Novo Nordisk with the aim of developing and applying cutting-edge molecular technologies to key problems in human health. The research areas cover both biological chemistry and physical chemistry. The projects are highly interdisciplinary and an interest in working on major biomedical problems through approaches that bring together biological and physical chemistry is required. The projects are suitable both for biological chemists or students with a biology background wishing to apply their expertise to biophysical technologies, and for students with a background in physical chemistry or physics, wishing to apply physical approaches to important problems in the biomedical sciences.

Application Deadline: 30 November 2023

Apply now

 

17. Fully Funded PhD Position in The Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe 

Summary of PhD Program:

The Leverhulme Centre for Life in the Universe and the University of Cambridge are committed to Widening Participation in postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge. Research within the Centre aims to develop a deeper understanding of life, its emergence, and its distribution in the Universe by addressing four questions:
What are the chemical pathways which led to the origins of life that are compatible with benign conditions for life in different planetary environments
How do we characterise the environments on Earth and other planets that could act as the cradle of prebiotic chemistry and life

Application Deadline: 14 November 2023

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18. Fully Funded PhD Position in History of Colombo

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited for a three year fully funded, full-time international studentship, commencing 1st October 2024. The student will be based at the Faculty of History as part of a UKRI-funded project titled ‘Colombo: Layered Histories in the Global South City’, which was selected for funding by the European Research Council under its ‘HORIZON’ programme. The prospective doctoral student will focus their attention within the broad field of the Political and/or social history of Colombo, ideally in the era after 1800. Given the project’s aim to generate dialogue between Sri Lanka and Europe, candidates applying from Sri Lanka are especially encouraged.

Application Deadline: 18 December 2023

Apply now

 

19. Fully Funded PhD Position in Catalysis, Energy, Sustainability

Summary of PhD Program:

Three 4-year PhD studentships are available at the University of Cambridge, starting in October 2024 under the supervision of Professor Erwin Reisner in the Department of Chemistry within the broad theme of catalysis, energy and sustainability. The projects will develop new fundamental approaches and application strategies focused on the capture and utilisation of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide or valorisation of biomass and plastic waste streams, using solar-powered technologies to convert carbon dioxide or biomass/plastic waste into renewable fuels and commodity chemicals. More specifically, photon-to-chemical conversion systems and devices will be assembled by integrating bespoke catalysts into state-of-the-art semiconductor or integrated photovoltaic photoabsorbers.

Application Deadline: 24 November 2023

Apply now

20. Fully Funded PhD Position

Summary of PhD Program:

Modern compute platforms involve a high degree of centralisation, both in how computational resources are provided and how they are used. For example, a small number of large platform providers enable content delivery to the vast majority of readers, and state of the art scientific modelling uses large centralised high-performance computing facilities. These PhDs will study how to place intelligence in the network as one means to help support greater accountability by, e.g., enabling information accuracy to be validated and dissemination understood, and to improve the sustainability of such platforms by, e.g., moving compute nearer to data sources.

Application Deadline: 4 December 2023

Apply now

 

21. Fully Funded PhD Position

Summary of PhD Program:

The programme is structured as 0.5 + 3.5, and in the first 6 months students will undertake two 3 month rotations projects in different laboratories. These projects will be in different disciplinary areas related to your field of research, and will allow refinement of your PhD project in line with your emerging research interests as the programme progresses. Potential projects will be advertised on the DTP-MR website, and applicants can choose up to 3 projects of interest.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

22. Fully Funded PhD Position in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Summary of PhD Program:

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual capable of thinking and working independently. Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as chemistry. Ideally, the candidate will have a strong background in organic chemistry. Practical experience of synthetic organic chemistry and peptide chemistry in a research environment would be beneficial.

Application Deadline: 1 December 2023

Apply now

 

23. Fully Funded PhD Position in Interactions of non-covalent biologics at the single-molecule level

Summary of PhD Program:

Protein-protein interactions at high concentrations exhibit complex manifestations of molecular interactions, often forming heterogeneous and dynamic cross-reactions both at formulation and after injection. Identifying and quantifying these interactions with ensemble-based biophysical and bioanalytical methods is challenging due to poor sensitivity. These limitations lead to measurement challenges in assessing and predicting high-concentration formulation challenges such as aggregation, viscosity, and solubility in solution and dose delivery.

Application Deadline: 30 November 2023

Apply now

 

24. Fully Funded PhD Position in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Summary of PhD Program:

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual capable of thinking and working independently. Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a UK upper second-class Masters degree in a relevant subject such as chemistry. Ideally, the candidate will have a strong background in organic chemistry. Practical experience of synthetic organic chemistry in a research environment would be beneficial.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

 

25. Fully Funded PhD Position in Role of Metabolic Disease in Alzheimers Disease

Summary of PhD Program:

The proposed project will clarify how metabolic disease mechanistically contributes to neurodegenerative disease by revealing: (a) how diet alters protein aggregation and the development of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), (b) which tissues are most susceptible, and, (c) which proteins show the most aggregation. The project fits into the theme of multimorbidity and organ-organ interactions. The associated technologies may help enable early diagnosis, giving at-risk individuals more time to make lifestyle changes to potentially reduce their risk and adjust to living with dementia.

Application Deadline: 30 November 2023

Apply now

 

26. Fully Funded PhD Position in Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Capture

Summary of PhD Program:

Research in the Forse group centres around the development of new materials for climate change mitigation. Electrochemical carbon dioxide capture is an emerging strategy for capturing carbon dioxide at source, and offers an energy-efficient means to prevent carbon dioxide emissions. The overarching aims of this PhD project are to understand the mechanisms of electrochemical carbon dioxide capture, and to design improved devices. Specifically, the project will involve electrode synthesis/fabrication, electrochemical gas adsorption experiments, data analysis and interpretation, with opportunities to carry out in situ NMR spectroscopy measurements.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

27. Fully Funded PhD Position in Hearable Systems

Summary of PhD Program:

The project will focus on understanding the potential and applications of devices worn around the ear for the purpose of fitness and health tracking. The specific aim of the studentship can range from systems contribution to efficient devices (given the form factor) to the novel exploration of the sensing capabilities of devices as well as the algorithmic innovation related to improving healthcare and fitness tracking through such devices.

Application Deadline: 4 December 2023

Apply now

 

28. Fully Funded PhD Position

Summary of PhD Program:

Embark on a journey of cutting-edge research and innovation with our MRC Industry Partner (iCASE) PhD studentships! We are offering a number of fully funded opportunities to combine academic research and training with industrial experience.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

 

29. Fully Funded PhD Position in Natural Language Processing

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship on the project EQUATE – a new project that investigates how Natural Language Processing (NLP) could be made globally more equitable. This UKRI Frontier project was selected for funding by the European Research Council (ERC) and is led by Prof. Anna Korhonen. The goal is to investigate the challenges in the development of globally equitable language technologies and to design transformative approaches to overcome them.

Application Deadline: 5 December 2023

Apply now

 

30. Fully Funded PhD Position in Haematological Malignancies

Summary of PhD Program:

Cambridge is one of the best places in the world to study haematological malignancies. We have the largest concentration of researchers working on haematological malignancies in Europe, with seventeen research groups based around the city making us a globally significant centre for research in leukaemia, lymphoma and pre-leukaemic conditions. World leading PIs based in Cambridge include Peter Campbell, Bertie Göttgens, Tony Green, Brian Huntly, Nicole Soranzo, George Vassiliou and Alan Warren. The Department of Haematology has an exceptional record in training young researchers. Over thirty students who studied for their PhDs in the Department have become PIs, either in Cambridge or elsewhere.

Application Deadline: 19 November 2023

Apply now

 

31. Fully Funded PhD Position

Summary of PhD Program:

Applications are invited for two 3-year PhD studentships in the National Institute for Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation (NIHR BTRU in ODT, https://odt.btru.nihr.ac.uk/). The posts will be based in the University of Cambridge Department of Surgery on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The proposed start date is 17th April 2024. The NIHR BTRU in ODT provides a centre of excellence dedicated to research into organ donation and transplantation. The overarching aims are to increase the number of organs available, improve long-term outcomes and improve quality of life after transplant.

Application Deadline: 15 January 2024

Apply now

32. Fully Funded PhD Position in Road Digital Twin Design Automation

Summary of PhD Program:

This aim of this studentship is to answer these questions for the case of roads. Understanding & digitally representing road DTs includes deriving (a) local and national stakeholders’ user and information requirements, and DT scoring metrics; and (b) creating a framework for automatically generating a pareto-optimal of trustworthy information models, libraries, and cloud architectures consistent with CDBB’s Information Management Framework (i) at micro, meso and macro scales (material-level; asset-level; network-level) and resolutions (mm-level; cm-level; m-level);

Application Deadline: 1 December 2023

Apply now

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Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for OBC & Others

 The scheme Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme- SHREYAS, has been proposed to implement during the 2021-22 to 2025-26 by placing two ongoing Central Sector schemes for OBC and others namely – (i) National Fellowship for OBC (ii) Dr.Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs). 

The main objective of the schemes is Educational Empowerment of OBC & EBC students by way of awarding fellowship (financial assistance) in obtaining quality higher education and interest subsidy on educational loan for overseas studies.

The Scheme comprises following 2 components: 1. National Fellowship for OBC students

The scheme aims at providing financial assistance to the OBC students in obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil and Ph.D in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions.

The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 1000 Junior Research Fellowships per year to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil. /Ph.D. Degrees, who have qualified in the following tests: i)National Eligibility Test  – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC (for Humanities/Social Sciences) or ii) UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF Joint Test (for Sciences)

The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and are implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of the scheme of UGC Fellowships being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D.

Salient features of the Scheme: The scheme is now implemented by the Ministry through the designated Central Nodal Agency; National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (A Govt. of India Undertaking, under the administrative control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and All universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Eligibility conditions are as per notification for UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC-NET examinations. The rate of fellowship for JRF level is Rs.31000 per month and for SRF level it is Rs.35000 per month, besides contingencies amount. Out of 1000 slots available under this scheme, 750 will be allocated for the subjects under National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC and remaining 250 UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NETJRF joint test (for Science streams). These 1000 slots will be over and above the OBC Students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government. At least 5% of the total seats should be reserved for students with disabilities while making selection of candidates for award of fellowships by the UGC.

Achievements: Rs.40.11 crore has been released during 2023-24 (pto 3rd Quarter)

Component 2. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) & Economically Backward Classes (EBCs)

 “Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs)”

This is a Central Sector Scheme to provide interest subsidy to the student belonging to the OBCs and EBCs on the interest payable for the period of moratorium for the Education Loans for overseas studies to pursue approved courses of studies abroad at Masters, M.Phil. and Ph.D. level.

Salient features of the Scheme: The scheme is implemented through the Canara Bank (the Nodal bank for the scheme). The Scheme is applicable for higher studies abroad. The interest Subsidy shall be linked with the existing Educational Loan Scheme of Indian Banks Association (IBA) and restricted to students enrolled for course at Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D level. The students should have secured admission in the approved courses at Masters, M.Phil or Ph.D levels abroad for the courses listed in the guidelines.  For OBC candidates, total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed present Creamy Layer criteria.  For EBC candidates, total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed Rs.5.00 lakh per annum , 50% of the total financial assistance is reserved for women candidates. Under the scheme, 100% interest payable by the students availing the education loans of the IBA for the period of moratorium (i.e. course period, plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the Education Loan Scheme of the IBA, shall be borne by the Government of India.  After the period of moratorium is over, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the existing Educational Loan Scheme as may be amended from time to time. The candidate will bear the Principal installments and interest beyond moratorium period. Maximum limit of loan is Rs 20 Lakhs

******

Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Siksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana

  

 – Shashikant Nishant Sharma

1.               
Objective

To provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor
families to meet a part of their
day-to-day expenses while pursuing
higher studies.

 

2.               
Scope

The scholarships are awarded by Ministry of Education, Government of
India on the basis of results of
Higher Secondary / Class XII Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing graduate
/ postgraduate degree in
colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical,
Engineering etc.

 

3.               
Allocation of Scholarship

The total number of scholarships are divided amongst the State Education
Boards based on the State’s
population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of
number of students passing out from various Boards
in the country. 50% of the
scholarships are earmarked for girls. Out
of the total scholarship slots
earmarked for UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, 3% slots shall be earmarked
for the students from the UT of Ladakh. The number of scholarships allotted
to a State Education Board is distributed amongst pass outs of the Humanities, Science and Commerce
streams in the ratio of 3:3:1. In case of shortfall
in the number of applications, the scholarship slots shall be interoperable among categories (Gen, OBC, SC & ST),
gender (Female, Male) and State Quota to maximize
use of slots for fresh scholarships with effect from academic year 2022-23, subject
to the condition that guidelines of Ministry of Finance
and NITI Aayog regarding SC/ST fund allocation of the
schemes are adhered to.

 

4.               
Eligibility for Scholarship

i.            
Students who are above 80th percentile of
successful candidates in the relevant stream
from the respective Board of Examination in Class XII of 10+2 pattern or equivalent;


ii.           
Pursuing regular degree courses and not
correspondence or distance
mode or pursuing Diploma courses;

iii.            
Pursuing courses at colleges/institutions recognized by All India Council for Technical Education and respective Regulatory Bodies concerned;

iv.            
Not availing benefit
of any other scholarship schemes
including State run scholarship schemes/
fee waiver & reimbursement scheme;

v.           
Students with gross parental/family income upto Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum are eligible for scholarship under the scheme.
Income certificate will be required only for the fresh applicants;

vi.            
Student changing his/ her college/institute of study will be allowed
to continue/renew the
scholarship provided the course of study and the institution is having valid AISHE Code; The AISHE code can be checked in the portal
https://aishe.gov.in/aishe/aisheCode

vii.           
Students who missed to apply for renewal of
application online on NSP will be allowed
to apply for renewal of scholarship for subsequent year on NSP, if he/she fulfils
eligibility condition for renewal;

viii.            
For renewal of scholarship in each year of study,
besides getting at least 50% marks in
the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance of at least 75%, will also be the criteria. Complaints
against the student regarding any in disciplined
or criminal behaviour including any complaints of having indulged in ragging,
will lead to forfeiture of scholarship;

ix.            
Beneficiaries/ Applicants under the scheme must apply
online in the National Scholarships
Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in) for the fresh/ renewal scholarships. Fresh/Renewal applications sent directly
to the Ministry of Education shall not be accepted.

 

5.           
Reservation

Students belonging to reserved categories/weaker sections /minorities
etc. are eligible to get benefit of reservation on the basis of merit, subject to Central
Reservation Policy [i.e. 15% seats
are earmarked for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 27 % for OBCs and 5% horizontal
reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in all the categories]. The Central Reservation Policy will be
applicable in filling the slots against each
year’s target. If slots under a specific group is not filled after
considering all the States/UTs, the
vacant slots will be allocated to other categories so that maximum number
of eligible students
can get the benefit, subject to overall ceiling of slots.


6.               
Procedure for Application

i.            
The applications are received online only. Verification of credentials of the students
like caste, educational qualifications etc. are done through DIGILOCKER facility of the MeITY, Govt. of India.

ii.           
National Scholarships Portal (NSP)
(www.scholarships.gov.in) will provide the timelines
for opening & closing of the portal.

iii.            
The Guidelines for application, verification, selection and disbursement of scholarship will be as per the NSP.

iv.            
Selection list would be generated/displayed on NSP.

v.           
Online applications will be verified at two levels i.e
by the Institute, where the student is studying and thereafter by the concerned
State Higher Education
Department or any other Agency/ Official nominated by the State as State
Nodal Agency (both for fresh and
renewal applicants).

vi.            
Latest guideline on Timelines
will be made available on NSP.

vii.           
Students will not be permanently debarred for
scholarships due to delay to renew or
verification. However, students will have to submit renewal applications within a cut-off date. Renewal for that year will
not be allowed if an applicant misses this
deadline.

 

7.      Rate and Duration
of Scholarship (from financial year 2022-23)

The rate of scholarship is Rs.12,000/-per annum at Graduation level for
first three years of College and University courses
and Rs.20,000/-per annum at Post- Graduation
level. Students pursuing professional
courses, in case, where the duration of course
is five (5) years/Integrated course
will get Rs. 20,000/-per annum in the 4th
and 5th year. However,
students pursuing technical
courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg.
will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. Rs. 12,000
p.a. for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year and Rs. 20,000 in the 4th year.

Note: The rate of scholarship
is Rs.10,000/-per annum for first three years of fresh/ renewal scholarships with respect to academic year 2021-22, even
if the actual release happens in FY
2022-23.

 

8.      Payment of Scholarship

Students are required to have the bank accounts opened, especially, in
their name for availing the benefits
under the scheme. The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the savings bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)


mode. The student can track
their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment”    in    the  
 Public  
 Financial    Management    System  
 (PFMS)  
 portal
[ https://pfms.nic.in/Users/LoginDetails/Login.aspx%5D either by indicating Aadhaar number or bank 
account number or NSP
Application ID.

 

9.      For Colleges/Universities

College and Universities will apprise the students about the “PM-USP
CSSS” during admission. Aadhaar based authentication of Institute Nodal Officer (INO)/ State Nodal Officer (SNO) is mandatory for every Institution/State before verification of the applications. INO/SNO should be a regular employee.

 

10.  For State Government/State Boards

Adequate publicity of the scheme may be initiated through the Schools/
Colleges/ Institutions to create
awareness and to facilitate/ assist the applicants in rural area to apply for
scholarship online on NSP.

 

11.               
Grievance Redressal

In case of any grievances/complaint regarding
the above scheme,
the same may be registered to the following link:

http://pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx

other than to
the Nodal Officer whose email is available on NSP portal (Services Tab).

Section Officer

National Scholarship Division

Department of Higher Education,
Ministry of Education, West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6,

R. K. Puram, Sector 1, New Delhi 110066.

Tele: 011- 20862360

E-mail: es3.edu@nic.in

 

LINK TO APPLY NOW 

 

 

******

Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Madhya Pradesh

Daily writing prompt
In what ways do you communicate online?

By Kavita Dehalwar

The scheme “Post-Matric Scholarship” started in 1945 by the Tribal Welfare and Scheduled Caste (SC) Department, Madhya Pradesh, provides scholarships to Scheduled Tribe students studying in classes 11th, 12th, Colleges, PhD, and Professional Courses.

The Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Madhya Pradesh is a government initiative aimed at promoting higher education among students belonging to SC and ST communities. The scheme provides financial assistance to help students meet the expenses of their education after matriculation (Class 10). Here’s a detailed overview of the scholarship:


Objective

The primary goal of the Post Matric Scholarship is to reduce the financial burden on students from economically weaker SC and ST communities and to encourage them to pursue education beyond the matriculation level.


Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Post Matric Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Caste Requirements:
    • The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category as recognized by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
  2. Educational Qualification:
    • Students must have passed Class 10 (matriculation) from a recognized board or institution.
    • The scholarship is applicable for studies at the post-matric level, including higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, professional, and technical courses.
  3. Income Criteria:
    • For SC students: The family income should not exceed ₹3,00,000 per annum.
    • For ST students: The family income should not exceed ₹6,00,000 per annum.
  4. Domicile:
    • The applicant must be a resident of Madhya Pradesh.
  5. Other Requirements:
    • The student should be enrolled in a government or recognized private educational institution.
    • Students receiving similar scholarships or financial aid from other sources are not eligible.

Benefits of the Scholarship

The benefits of the Post Matric Scholarship include:

  1. Tuition Fee Coverage:
    • The tuition fees for the course are reimbursed directly to the institution.
  2. Maintenance Allowance:
    • A monthly allowance is provided to cover living expenses, books, and other necessities. The amount varies based on the level of study and the type of institution (government or private).
  3. Other Expenses:
    • Examination fees, library fees, and laboratory charges are also covered under the scheme.

Application Process

The application process for the scholarship is entirely online through the Madhya Pradesh Scholarship Portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Registration:
  2. Fill the Application Form:
    • Log in and complete the scholarship application form.
    • Provide details about your academic history, institution, caste certificate, and income certificate.
  3. Upload Documents:
    • Upload scanned copies of the required documents (see the list below).
  4. Verification:
    • Submit the application. The institute will verify the details provided.
  5. Approval:
    • After verification by the institution and authorities, the scholarship amount will be credited to the student’s or institution’s bank account.

Required Documents

Applicants need to upload the following documents during the application process:

  1. Recent passport-sized photograph.
  2. Caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
  3. Income certificate of the family (issued within the past year).
  4. Domicile certificate of Madhya Pradesh.
  5. Previous year’s mark sheet.
  6. Admission proof (fee receipt or admission letter).
  7. Bank account details of the student (linked with Aadhaar).

Important Dates

  • Application Start Date: Generally announced in July or August each year.
  • Application Deadline: Typically by November, with extensions announced as needed.
  • Renewal Applications: Renewal students must reapply before the deadline, providing updated documents.

Key Points to Note

  1. Renewal Process:
    • Students who continue their studies in subsequent years need to apply for scholarship renewal annually.
  2. Monitoring and Transparency:
    • The scheme is monitored through the online portal, ensuring transparency in fund disbursement.
  3. Grievance Redressal:
    • Any issues related to the scholarship can be resolved through the helpline available on the MP Scholarship Portal.

Contact Information

For further assistance, students can contact:

  • Helpline Number: Provided on the official portal.
  • District Education Office: For offline inquiries and document submission.

This scholarship program plays a crucial role in ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder the education of SC and ST students in Madhya Pradesh. By covering tuition fees and providing maintenance support, it encourages higher education and helps bridge the gap in educational opportunities.

Career Guidance for Students

 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) organizes a two day capacity building programme for the teachers on career guidance of students. The trained teachers take sessions with senior students in their respective schools. The programme focuses on dimensions of career information, strategies and resources used in imparting career information, setting up a career resources room in a school, role of a teacher in imparting career guidance and understanding career development.

In Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) services of counselors are engaged on part time contractual basis in all Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country. There is also a provision of inviting experts from different fields to sensitize students about the career options available for them to pursue.

In Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) career guidance sessions are conducted regularly by the Counselors, Teachers and Vice Principals. Special sessions are also conducted for students in JNVs by inviting eminent experts of various fields.

National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is one-stop solution through which various services starting from student application, application receipt, processing and disbursal of various scholarships to students are enabled. The main objective of NSP is to ensure timely disbursement of scholarships to students and to provide a common portal for various scholarships schemes of Central and State Governments. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) of D/o SE&L is on-boarded on NSP. The details are available on the NSP Portal. The link is as follows: https://scholarships.gov.in


AICTE announces scholarship for PG 2020-21

The All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) has announced the scholarship programme for the post graduate (PG) students for the year 2020-21. The candidates of ME, MTech, MPharm, MArch with valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) or Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) score can apply for the scholarship. The eligible candidates can apply through the website- aicte-india.org.

“AICTE in order to ensure development of technical education in India awards Post Graduate Scholarship of Rs. 12,400/- per month to full-time GATE/GPAT qualified students admitted to AICTE approved post graduate programs in AICTE approved Institutions/ University Departments,” reads the official notice.

AICTE offers scholarship of Rs 12400 per month to PG students. This facility is offered to full time GATE / GPAT qualified students.

A total of 24 months scholarship is awarded during the two-year PG course. Scholarships are awarded from the month of classes commencing to the month when classes are closed.

AICTE-Scholarsip

To receive the scholarship, candidates have to validate their students ID and proceed with filling the GATE PG scholarship form. All the details like Bank account number, institute permanent ID, students ID and date of birth have to filled correctly, failing which the disbursal of scholarship will be affected. After filling the form, institutes have to verify and submit the data of all candidates admitted in M.Tech/M.E./M.Arch through GATE for the academic years 2020-21.

The last date for institutes to verify and submit students data to AICTE is December 31. The scholarship will be provided from the date of commencement of classes/date of admission whichever is earlier. Students will receive the GATE scholarship 2020 amount directly in their bank account.

To receive the GATE scholarship 2020, candidates need to have a savings account in their name, same as furnished in GATE/institute admission. Candidates belonging to OBC-Creamy layer who have qualified GATE under OBC category will not be eligible for the scholarship. Candidates who qualified GATE under any reserved category (SC/ST/PwD/OBC-NCL) must have a valid category certificate without which they will not be considered for the scholarship.

Candidates who have qualified under the OBC (Creamy Layer) category are not eligible for the scholarship. However, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates will be required to submit certificates which are not more than one year old to process their applications for the programme.