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News Analysis

Governance

Scholarship Schemes in India

  • 31 Aug 2020
  • 3 min read

Why in News

Recently, a multi-crore scam has been reported in the post-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes (SC) in Punjab.

  • The Central government is planning to bring a single national scholarship scheme by merging all the current scholarship schemes.

Key Points

  • Post Matric Scholarship for SCs:
    • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2006. It is implemented through State government and Union Territory administration.
    • The Scheme provides financial assistance to the Scheduled Caste (SC) students studying at post matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.
    • The scholarship is available for studies in India only and is paid to the students whose guardians’ income is below Rs. 2,50,000 per annum .
  • Single National Scholarship Scheme:
    • The Central government is contemplating setting up a single national scholarship scheme called PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) for meritorious students which will absorb all the existing scholarship schemes.
    • Beneficiary: Students in the Other Backward Class (OBC), SC, Denotified, Nomadic and semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT) and Economically Backward Caste (EBC) categories will be able to avail the national scholarship.
    • Implementing Agency: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been tasked to implement the Scheme by conducting a merit test.
    • Benefits of Single National Scholarship Scheme:
      • It will increase the reach of information about the govt scholarships.
      • Boost the importance of maintaining a basic curriculum and teaching standards across the country.
      • Help improve the quality and implementation of scholarships.
    • Issues Involved:
      • In case a student misses the deadline of scholarship, he will not get a second chance to apply for other scholarships.
      • The national-level scholarship exam would become an added burden on students.
        • Having a separate exam for identifying merit is redundant as already students are appearing for board examinations and entrance examinations.
      • If the existing pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes are done away with, it could end up hampering the education of students.

Way Forward

  • The single national scholarship scheme under PM-YASASVI can be beneficial only if it is implemented properly. Without correct implementation, it can become a hindrance rather than a help for students in India.
  • The government should leverage the experience of scholarship provider platforms while developing this new scholarship scheme as they have a first-hand experience of supporting students.

Source: IE

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