After months of delay, the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training, and Human Development Institute (SARTHI) has published the list of students selected for the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad SARTHI Overseas Higher Education Scholarship. The scheme, designed to support students from Maharashtra's Maratha and Kunbi communities in pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad, faced criticism for prolonged delays and inefficiencies in its execution.
The application process concluded in July, with the results initially expected in September. The delay disrupted the academic plans of many aspirants, forcing some to defer or modify their higher education goals. When the list was finally released, it revealed that only 44 out of 200 applicants had been selected, leaving 30 of the 75 available seats unfilled. Student activist Kuldeep Ambekar highlighted the underutilization of the scheme, attributing it to poor outreach and lack of awareness among eligible candidates. He also pointed out that similar issues occurred last year when only 50 students were selected in total. Ambekar emphasized that families from underprivileged backgrounds heavily rely on this scholarship to realize their aspirations of studying abroad.
In response, SARTHI officials clarified that the current announcement is part of a phased selection process. They explained that the 75-seat quota is distributed over two admission cycles for foreign universities, and additional candidates are expected to be announced in the next phase. However, critics argue that such delays and gaps hinder the program's objective of fostering global opportunities for deserving students. The Sayajirao Gaekwad SARTHI Scholarship, approved by the state government in July 2023, aims to empower students from the Maratha and Kunbi communities by facilitating access to world-class education. While the program holds promise, its implementation continues to face challenges, raising questions about its effectiveness.
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