Scholarships for OBCs

Pre-matric Scholarship for OBC Students

Objective

• Even after 51 years of independence and in spite of various measures taken to improve the level of education in the country, literacy levels among backward classes, particularly among women, continues to be extremely low. The number of steps have already been taken by the Government and considerable progress has been achieved in improving the level of literacy and education during the last 51 years, but there is still a long way to go before respectable levels of literacy are achieved, It has been recognized now that education and economic support for backward Classes has not been adequate and there is disparity between them and the non-backward sections of the population at every level. In view of the same, it is felt that earnest efforts are required to introduce various new schemes specifically for these target group i.e. backward classes to provide them a level playing field in comparison to non-backward sections of the population.
• The position of women in terms of literacy among OBCs population is also a cause of concern. Considering the important role of women in shaping the size of the family and outlook of its members, investment in improving education among women of these communities will not only improve their social and economic status, but will also help in accelerating the socio-economic development of these communities and the nation as a whole.
• Experience shows that children of OBCs from the poorer section to not go schools as they often have to provide a helping hand to their parents in traditional occupation or otherwise supplement the family income. It is considered that a scheme of Pre-matric Scholarship would be helpful in spreading education amongst such children specially amongst the girl child of weaker sections. A scheme of Pre-matric Scholarship for the benefit of children belonging to Weaker Section amongst OBCs has been formulated with the object in view.

Scope

• OBCs living below double the poverty line form a bigger chunk of a population and there are disparities amongst OBCs themselves to start with, it is proposed to award scholarship to school going children of poorer OBC parents whose annual income is below double the poverty line.

Eligibility

Scholarship award will be sanctioned in the case of students whose parents/guardians income from all sources does not exceed Rs.2,50,000 per annum.

Note 1: So long as either of the parents (or husband in the case of married unemployed girl student) are alive, only income of the parents/husband, as the case may be, from all sources will be taken into account and of no other members even though they may be earning. In the form of income declaration, income will be declared on this basis. Only in the case where both the parents (or husband in the case of married but unemployed girl student) have died, the income of the guardian who is supporting the student in his/her studies will have to be taken into consideration. Such students whose parent's income is affected due to unfortunate death of one of earning parents and resultantly comes within the income ceiling prescribed under the scheme, shall become eligible for scholarship, subject to their fulfilling other conditions of eligibility, from the month in which such sad incidence taken place. Applications for scholarships from such students can be considered even after lapse of last date of receipt of applications, on compassionate grounds.

Note 2: House Rent allowance received by the parents of a student shall be exempted from the computation of 'income' if the same has been permitted to be exempted for purpose of Income-Tax.

Note 3: Income Certificate is required to be taken once only, i.e. at the time of admission to courses, which are continuing for more than one year.

Duration and Course of Studies

• The scholarships may be given to the students enrolled in class I or any subsequent class of pre-matric stage in the case of day scholars, and class III or any subsequent class of pre-matric stage in the case of hostlers. The scholarship will terminate at the end of class X. The duration of scholarship in an academic year will be 10 months.

Institution of Study

• The scholarship will be tenable only in such institutions and for such pre-matriculation courses, which have been duly recognized by the concerned State Government and Union Territory Administrations.

Coverage Value of Scholarship and Ad-Hoc Grant

Hostelers:

• The students as hostlers will be covered from class III to X.
• The rates of scholarships will be - Class III to X - Rs. 500/- per month for 10 months

Day Scholars

• The students as day scholars will be covered from Class I to Class X.
• The rates of scholarships will be - Class I to X - Rs. 100/- per month for 10 months

Ad-Hoc Grant

• An ad-hoc grant of Rs.500/- per student per annum to all students i.e. hostlers as well as day scholars will also be given.
• The scholarship amount will be payable from the date of joining to the date of leaving the school, excluding the period of vacation, which will be about 10 months in a year except in the cases where the students enters late or leaves early in the midst of academic year.

For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Post-matric Scholarship for OBC

Objective

• The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the OBC students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.

Scope

• These scholarships shall be available for studies in India only and will be awarded by the Government of State/Union Territory to which the applicant actually belongs, i.e. permanently settled.

Conditions of Eligibility

• The scholarships will be open to Indian nationals belonging to OBCs, as notified by the Central Govt./State Govt./ UT Admn.;
• These scholarships will be given for the study of all recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary courses pursued in recognized institutions with the following exceptions:
• Only those candidates who belong to OBCs so specified in relation to the State/UT to which the applicant actually belongs, i.e. permanently settled and who have passed the Matriculation or Higher secondary or any higher examination of a recognized University or Board of Secondary Education will be eligible.
• Candidates who, after passing one stage of education, are studying in the same stage of education in different subject e.g. I. Sc. after I.A or B.Com. after B.A. or M.A. in a subject after M.A in another subject will not be eligible.
• Students who, after having completed their educational career in one professional line, e.g., LLB after B.T/B. Ed will not be eligible.
• Students studying in XI Class of the Higher Secondary School courses or the XII class of the Multipurpose High School will not be eligible for it being a continuous school course. However, in cases, where tenth class examination of such courses is treated as equivalent to Matriculation and students who after passing tenth class join other courses, such students will be treated as post-matric students and will be eligible for the award of scholarships.
• Students pursuing Post-graduate courses in medicine will be eligible if they are not allowed to practice during the period of their course.
• Students who after failing or passing the Under Graduate/Post-Graduate examinations in Arts/science/Commerce join any recognized professional or Technical certificate/diploma/degree courses will be awarded scholarships if otherwise eligible. No subsequent failure will be condoned except courses in Group 'A' and no further change in the course will be allowed.
• Students who pursue their studies through correspondence courses will be eligible towards reimbursement of non-refundable fee. The term correspondence includes distant and continuing education. Besides reimbursement of non-refundable fee, such students will also be eligible for an annual allowance of Rs. 900/- for essential/prescribed books, as applicable.
• Only two boys of the same parents/guardian will be entitled to receive scholarships. This restriction will, however, not apply to girls.
• A scholarship holder under this Scheme will not hold any other scholarship/stipend. If awarded any other scholarship/stipend, the students can exercise his/her option for either of the two scholarships/stipends, whichever is more beneficial to him/her and should inform the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution about the option made. No scholarship will be paid to the students under this Scheme from the date he/she accepts any other scholarships/stipend. The student can however, accept free lodging or a grant or ad-hoc monetary help from the State Government or any other source for the purchase of books, equipment or for meeting the expenses on board and lodging, in addition to the scholarship amount paid under this Scheme.
• Scholarship holders who are receiving coaching in any of the pre-examination training centers with financial assistance from the Central Government/State Government will not be eligible for stipend under the coaching schemes for the duration of the coaching programme.
• Employed students whose income combined with the income of their parents/guardians does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum shall be eligible for post-matric scholarships to the extent of reimbursement of all compulsorily payable non-refundable fees.
• In case of unemployed students whose parents/guardians income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum will be entitled for the scholarship under the Scheme.

Note 1: So long as either of the parents (or husband in the case of married unemployed girl students) are alive, only income of the parents/husband, as the case may be, from all sources has to be taken into account and of no other members even though they may be earning. In the form of income declaration, income is to be declared on this basis. Only in the case where both the parents (or husband in the case of married but unemployed girl student) have died, the income of the guardian who is supporting the student in his/her studies has to be taken into consideration. Such students whose parent's income is affected due to unfortunate death of one of earning parents and resultantly comes within the income ceiling prescribed under the scheme, shall become eligible for scholarship, subject to their fulfilling other conditions of eligibility, from the month in which such sad incidence takes place. Applications for scholarships from such students can be considered even after lapse of last date of receipt of applications, on compassionate grounds.

Note 2: House Rent Allowance received by the parents of a student be exempted from the computation of 'income' if the same has been permitted to be exempted for purpose of Income-Tax.

Note 3: Income Certificate is required to be taken once only, i.e. at the time of admission to courses, which are continuing for more than one year.

Scholarship amount

The rates under different Post-Matric Courses ranges between Rs. 750 per month and Rs. 260 per month for hostellers. For the day scholars the range is Rs. 350 to Rs. 160. Scholarship also include study tour charges @ Rs. 900 per annum (subject to actual expenditure), Thesis typing and printing charges @ Rs. 1000 (maximum) and Reader charges for blind students in the range between Rs. 90 p.m. to Rs. 175 p.m.

The scholarship for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) course is also covered under this scheme. Upto 20 awards per year for the whole country are provided on the first come first-serve basis. The selected candidates are provided an amount of Rs.5000/- per flying hour in single/multiengine aircraft for 200 hours. In addition, maintenance allowances @ Rs. 750 p.m. for hostlers and Rs. 350 p.m. for day scholars is also paid.

For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

National Fellowship (NF) 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 300 Junior Research Fellowships per year from the year 2014-15 onwards and 300 Senior Research Fellowships during 2016-17 to Other Backward Class (OBC) students. The UGC is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme and notifies the scheme through advertisements in the media at a suitable date. The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Fellowships are awarded to research students pursuing M. Phil. and Ph.D. The rate of fellowship for JRF level is Rs. 25000 per month and for SRF level, it is Rs. 28000 per month. Contigencies of Rs 10,000 - 12,000 for initial two years and Rs 20,500 - Rs 25,000 for the remaining tenure is also provided. Escorts / Reader assistance of Rs 2000 per month is provided for physically and visually disabled students.

An OBC student admitted to M.Phil./Ph.D. course in a University or academic institution after completing the required formalities of admission, is eligible for the award of Fellowship subject to provisions of the scheme as per the advertisement of UGC. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period of 5 years. The fellowship will be paid from the date of registration of the student in the M.Phil./Ph.D. course. Only those, doing regular and full time M.Phil./Ph.D. course of a University/Research Institution shall be eligible for the fellowship.

For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment