Scholarship of Emancipation

Jan 20, 2022

India boasts of a highly diverse demographic, which includes tribals, who make up for 8.2% of the total population according to the 2001 census. It is, therefore, important to empower this huge group and help them make the best of their skillset. This can only be done through education, which is the topmost priority of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA); it has undertaken several initiatives, which includes scholarships that will help in not only providing academic and career goals to the tribals, but also enable them to establish a stable financial standing.

There are several schemes that have been sponsored by the Centre through which the Ministry extends its support to tribal children in augmenting their education needs. One such scheme is the Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme, which provides an amount of Rs 225 per month for day scholars and Rs 525 per month for hostelers to children in IX-X classes for a period of 10 months in a year. Such initiatives provide financial stability to tribal children who have low family incomes.

In order to enhance capacity building and ensure inclusivity and equitable education at higher levels of learning, the Ministry has taken initiatives such as the National Scholarship Scheme (Top Class) For Higher Education of Schedule Tribe (ST) Students. This scholarship is given to ST students pursuing higher studies in prescribed courses in any of the 246 premier institutes like IITs, NITs, IIMs, etc. The scholarship is given for the entire duration of the course pursued by the student and the scholarship payment includes tuition fee, living expenses, and allowances for books and computers. With such support, it becomes easier for our tribal communities to expand their horizons as the tribal youth becomes more proficient with his/her learnings.

Similarly, scholarship is provided to 750 meritorious ST students pursuing education at M.PHIL and Ph.D. levels under the National Fellowship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students every year. Based on the marks of their Master’s degree, Fellowship for M.Phil. is provided at Rs. 25,000 per month and for Ph.D. at Rs.28,000 per month; this scholarship is provided for the entire duration of the course.This helps the tribal students to gain a better position in order to sustain their career and pursue their choices.

In order to expand the scope for their learning and help them reach their goal of studying abroad, the Ministry has introduced an initiative called the National Overseas Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to selected ST students to pursue post graduation, Ph.D. and post-doctoral study abroad. A total of 20 awards are given every year. Of these, 17 awards are for STs and 3 awards for students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The scholarship comprises tuition fee, annual maintenance allowance of USD 15,400, contingency charges of USD 1,532, poll tax, visa fee, medical insurance, cost of air journey and incidental journey expenses.

By taking such steps, MoTA is assisting in bringing the best out of the country and its tribal talent. Recently, the Ministry was also awarded the SKOCH Gold Award for IT-enabled scholarship schemes and DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) of credit into the student's account. All of these steps are heading in the right direction toward creating an all-inclusive India and making it completely atmanirbhar.