Scholarship Schemes in India | 31 Aug 2020

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