(a) whether the Government is considering or has taken steps to modify or to add more
opportunity to increase the participation of highly intellectual students in the country and if
so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(b) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of students in order to
identify the talented students and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a) and (b) The Government of India has recently considered the proposal to enhance the
number of scholarship under National Talent Search scheme from 1000 to 2000 for a
period of two years from 2018-19 to 2019-20, as per existing norms. The scholarship
under the present scheme is awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in science
and social science up to doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and
engineering up to second-degree level subject to fulfilment of conditions of the scheme. As
on date 2000 scholarships are awarded in the country with reservation of 15 percent for
Scheduled Castes, 7.5 percent for Scheduled Tribes and 27 percent for Other Backward
Classes and 4 percent for group of students with benchmark disabilities.
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