In its bid to provide scholarships to deserving Dalit students in pursuing their higher studies, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government is coming up with a scheme to fund higher studies of around 100 Dalit students overseas. “Scholarships to Dalit students to study abroad is being seen as an effort by the AAP government to provide deserving students, a level playing field”, said a Delhi government official
According to Delhi Social Welfare, SC/ST minister Rajendra Pal Gautam, “Meritorious students willing to pursue Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the fields engineering, medicine, law and agriculture will be eligible to apply under the scheme, which is likely to be taken up by the Delhi cabinet headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal”.
The minister said that AAP government will provide financial assistance up to Rs 10 lakh for a two-year course and up to Rs 20 lakh for a four-year course to around 100 candidates. It’s happening for the first time in Delhi, Gautam said. A family income ceiling of Rs six lakh is expected, he said.
“Pursuing higher studies abroad costs a great deal of money. We have no dearth of talented people who can accomplish anything given equal opportunities. The AAP government has decided to hold their hand,” the minister said.
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment also provides financial support to 100 candidates each year under the National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students
Candidates pursuing a master-level course and PhD In foreign universities in the field of science, engineering, management, medicine, commerce, humanities, social science, and fine arts are given USD 15,400 or around Rs 10 lakh under the scheme.
Last year, the AAP Government launched the Jai Bhim Mukhyemantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana, under which Dalit students can avail free coaching for various exams. Thirty-five of the 107 students who got free coaching for engineering and medical entrance exams have cleared Joint Engineering Entrance (JEE) Main and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) this year.
According to the available information, “As many as 4,953 students were enrolled for availing coaching for various exams, including those conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), banks, Railway Recruitment Board, Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) and insurance companies in 2018-19, under this scheme”.