Lok Sabha Question No. 1473 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-01
Subject: Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1473

TO BE REPLIED ON 01.07.2019

## SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION OF ST STUDENTS

## 1473.     KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  funds  allocated  during  the  last  three  years  to  implement  the 'National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students';
- (b)    the  eligibility  criteria,  tenure  and  financial  assistance  provided  under  the Fellowship;
- (c)    the number and details of Scheduled Tribe candidates awarded the scholarship annually  for  pursuing  M.Phil/Ph.D  and  M.Phil  plus  Ph.D  during  the  last  three years;
- (d) the details  of  Fellowship  amount  released  under  the  scheme  and  the achievements of the scheme during that period; and
- (e)     whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure that fellowship amount is  released  to  students  in  time  directly  into  their  accounts  by  Direct  Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

- (a):  The  details  of  funds  allocated  under  this  Scheme  of'National  Fellowship  and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students'for the last three years are as under:-

(Rs. in lakhs)

| 2016-17   | 2016-17   | 2017-18   | 2017-18   | 2018-19   | 2018-19   |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| BE        | RE        | BE        | RE        | BE        | RE        |
| 5000.00   | 8000.00   | 10000.00  | 10000.00  | 10000.00  | 10000.00  |

BE: Budget Estimates,    RE: Revised Estimates

(b):  The  eligibility  criteria,  tenure  and  financial  assistance  provided  under  the Fellowship scheme are as follows:-

## Eligibility:

1.  The candidate should belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST)community.
2.  The  candidate  should  have  passed  the  Post  Graduation/Master  Degree examination for being eligible for the Fellowship.
3.  The candidate should get admission and registration for regular and full time M.Phil./Ph.D Courses in University / Academic Institutions which  covers the following category:-
4. (i) Universities/institutions/Colleges included under section 2(f) or 12(B) or 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act.
5. (ii) Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC.
6. (iii) Universities/ Institutions/ Colleges funded by Central/ State Government.
7. (iv) Institutes of National Importance.
8.  The  ST  students  once  considered  eligible  for  the  Fellowship  shall  not  be entitled for any other scholarship of the Centre or State Government the same study.
9.  The fellowship shall be payable once the student has secured admission and started the research work.
4.  Duration:The  maximum duration for  which  the  scholarships  are  available  is given below:

- i) M.Phil -

2 years

- ii) Ph.D exclusively -

5 years

- iii) M.Phil + Ph.D -

2 years (M.Phil) and 3 years (Ph.D)

## 5. Financial assistance:

|        | Fellowship      | Contingency                                                                    | HRA                             | Escorts/Reader Assistance          |
|--------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| M.Phil | @ Rs.25000/- PM | i).Rs.10000/per year for Humanities & Social Sciences ii.Rs.12000/-per year As | As per rules of the University/ | Rs.2000/-p.m in case of physically |

|      |                 | for Science, Engineering Technology                                                                              | Institutions/ Colleges   | handicapped and blind           |
|------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Ph.D | @ Rs.28000/- PM | i).Rs.20500 per year for Humanities & Social Sciences ii). Rs.25000 per year for Science, Engineering Technology |                          | candidates for all the subjects |

- (c):  Under  the  scheme,  the  total  number  of  fresh  fellowships  each  year  is  750. Theselection of award of Fellowship is based on merit and there is no State/University-wise allocation/ ceiling on number of slots under the scheme.
- (d) &(e):  The details of fellowship amount released Scheduled Tribe candidates awarded the Fellowship under the 'National Fellowship' component of the scheme 'National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students' during the last three years  are as under:-

(Rs. in lakhs)

| 2016-17       | 2016-17       | 2017-18       | 2017-18       | 2018-19       | 2018-19        |
|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------|----------------|
| Expendi- ture | Beneficiaries | Expendi- ture | Beneficiaries | Expendi- ture | Beneficiarie s |
| 7312.25       | 2197          | 7022.00       | 2078          | 8208.91       | 2456           |

With the efforts made by the Ministry since 2017-18 number of applications has been increased and all the 750 fellowship slots  are now filled up.  The Ministry has started implementing the Scheme directly from the year 2017-18 onwards.  For  this  purpose  a  dedicated  portal  has  been  designed  in  the Ministry  for  online  applications  so  as  to  ensure  that  fellowship  amount  is released to students in time directly into their accounts in DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer)  mode.  Further,  the  scheme  has  been  integrated  with Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and DBT Bharat Portal.

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