The Decline in Scholarship Schemes for Minorities in India

The importance of quality education has been a major point stressed on by the government of India as it not only is a basic human right, but also a powerful tool towards social and economic development. In 2017, the government’s Niti Aayog, had released a document outlining the policies for improvement in the implementation of scholarship programs. However, what really goes on behind the scenes remains questionable.

From 2019-2022, government spending on six educational schemes dropped by 12.5%. Just this year, the budget for the Ministry of Minority Affairs dropped from 5.020.5 crores to 3.097 crores. The current status on many established schemes for awarding scholarships to minorities has changed in the recent years as well.

To illustrate, the “Pre-matric Scholarship Scheme” established by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2013 was designed to award candidates in classes 1-10 scholarships ranging between Rs.1000-10,700. However, currently, the scheme has been discontinued for students in classes 1-8. Moreover, the Padho Pardesh scheme launched in June 2006 to provide better opportunities for higher education abroad, giving overseas education loans taken by economically weak minority groups an interest subsidy. In 2022-23, the scheme was discontinued.

So what is the ideal way forward? The government, of course, should overlook to check that there are enough local employment opportunities so that more families can afford the cost of education for their children. Apart from the government, you too can make an impact! Encourage leaders in your community to take initiative to pool resources and provide tutoring help to those in need. Promote NGO’s in the education sector who provide scholarships yearly to students, which in turn will reduce the economic burden on the government.

Listed below are below are a few NGO’s who promote education empowerment for minorities in India: https://www.swamidayanand.org/ , https://www.sitaramjindalfoundation.org/ By Prachi V Pandit