As many as 75 students from minority communities in Maharashtra have been awarded scholarships to study at leading international universities. The scholarships were granted by the state minority development department on November 20, as per a report by HT.
Among the recipients, seven students will pursue PhD programmes, while 67 will follow postgraduate courses. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs.
The programme was first announced two years ago. It promised scholarships for 75 students admitted to universities ranked in the top 200 of the QS World Rankings each year. However, the scheme faced delays in approval. In the first year (2024–2025), only 24 students received the scholarships. Out of these 24, 22 students actually received the financial award.
This year, 75 students were selected after a thorough review process. A committee led by the secretary of the minority department, along with secretaries from higher and technical education, social justice, and school education departments, evaluated the applications.
As per sources, some students who met the eligibility criteria were placed on a waiting list because the programme is limited to 75 students. The selected students have to complete their studies within the set duration. They must also sign a pledge to serve the nation after finishing their education.
The Commissioner of Social Welfare, Pune, has been appointed as the authorised authority to distribute the scholarship funds. The state government made sure that students’ original documents were verified and necessary assurances were obtained before releasing the money.
Recipients of the scholarship will study at prestigious universities worldwide. Earlier this year, in March, the Maharashtra government released the list of 24 minority students who received scholarships for the 2024–2025 academic year. These students were pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad.
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