Delhi Govt distributes scholarships worth Rs 25.25 crore to 1,709 students

The Delhi Government on Monday distributed scholarships worth Rs 25.25 crore to 1,709 meritorious students belonging to the economically weaker section. The scholarships are distributed under the Delhi Higher and Technical Education Assistance Scheme. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative is an investment in the future of the city's youth.

The scholarships were disbursed at Thyagaraj Stadium on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, observed as National Youth Day. The scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Education and supports students enrolled in universities across Delhi.

The chief minister said that the scholarship amounts for the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25 had been transferred directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. She also announced that Rs 19 crore in pending scholarship dues from the previous government's tenure had been released. "No money meant for students' education will remain pending," the Chief Minister said, adding that the government was committed to strengthening higher education access for students from financially weaker backgrounds.

Linking the occasion to National Youth Day, the chief minister urged students to draw inspiration from Swami Vivekananda's ideals and remain focused on nation-building. She said India was in the "Amrit Kaal" phase, during which youth would play a decisive role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.

"Progress is not possible through governments alone. It depends on the collective responsibility and participation of citizens," she said.

Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government had moved away from "politics over education" and was now focused on policy-driven reforms. He said the guiding principle of the current administration was Antyodaya, ensuring that students at the margins received priority support.

Sood highlighted the expansion of the Narela Education City project, whose budget has been increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,300 crore. Spread across 160 acres, the project will include shared university campuses, auditoriums, libraries, digital libraries and ICT laboratories. He said a long-pending project had been revived under the present government. "Delhi will export leaders through the strength of education," the education minister said.

Officials said the Delhi Higher and Technical Education Assistance Scheme aims to ensure that no deserving student is forced to abandon higher education due to financial constraints. Under the scheme, students who have passed Class XII from Delhi schools with at least 75 per cent marks and meet the prescribed income criteria are eligible for financial assistance.

The scholarship amount varies based on the course and institution and is credited directly to students' bank accounts to ensure transparency and timely disbursal.

University representatives said timely financial aid helps reduce dropouts and allows students from low-income families to focus on their studies rather than financial stress. The government said it would continue to expand education-focused welfare measures to promote equal opportunity and social mobility in the Capital.