(a) whether the Government provides financial assistance to the students belonging to Economically Backward Classes who want to pursue career in specific fields like medical, engineering or any other higher studies; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (b): Yes, Madam. The financial assistance to the students belonging to Economically Backward Classes is provided through the following schemes:-
(i) While the fee payable by the IIT students is gender-neutral, the SC/ST students are exempted from payment of tuition fees irrespective of their parental income. They are also entitled to travelling allowance (II class train fare/ordinary bus fare) from the place of residence to the Institute to join the B.Tech. Programmes. The SC/ST students admitted to the B.Tech and Dual Degree programmes are given free book bank facilities. The students, whose parental income is below Rs. 4.50 lakhs per annum are entitled to free hostel seat, basic messing and pocket allowance. Under the Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship, students (Other than SC/ST categories), upto 25% of intake strength, whose annual parental income is less than Rs. 6.00 lakhs, are also exempted from payment of tuition fee and are paid a stipend for ten months in an academic year.
(ii) Besides scholarships from the State Government, the students in IIMs get various central government scholarships from Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Minority Affairs.
(iii) For supporting economically weaker sections of society; AICTE has a scheme of Tuition Fee Waiver (TFW) for sons & daughters of parents having annual income of less than Rs. 4.5 lakhs from all sources which is mandatory for all AICTE approved technical institutions offering Bachelor programme, Diploma, Post Diploma programmes. 5% of sanctioned intake per course is supernumerary in nature and are available for these admissions.
Under Post Graduate Grant, GATE/GPAT qualified students of Post Graduation courses in Engineering/Pharmacy are provided a grant of Rs. 8,000 per month for duration of 2 years by AICTE.
(iv) Further, AICTE has introduced the scholarship for Girls under Pragati Scheme. Total Number of scholarships is 4000. The eligibility in terms of candidates under the scheme is as under :-
1. Limited to one girl per family.
2. Family Income should be less than Rs. Six lakhs per annum.
3. Admitted to AICTE approved Institutions Programmes / Courses of Diploma and Undregraduate Degree level.
(v) Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy (CSSIS) is based on the Model Educational Loan Scheme of Indian Banks Association (IBA). At the time of formulation of the scheme in 2009-10, it was estimated that 2 lakh students will benefit each year through an average loan size of Rs.1.50 lakh per year. Approximately, 20 lakh students have been benefitted so far.
Salient features of the CSSIS are as follows:
# To provide full interest subsidy during the period of moratorium on loans taken by students belonging to EWS from Scheduled banks under the Model Educational Loan Scheme of the Indian Bank Association for pursuing any of the approved courses of studies in technical & professional strains, from recognized institutes in India.
Scheme applicable for courses in India.
# Interest Subsidy linked with the existing Scheme of IBA and restricted to students enrolled in professional courses after 12th.
# Interest payable for the period of moratorium is to be borne by the Govt. and thereafter by the student. Moratorium Period = course period + one year or 6 months after getting job, whichever is earlier.
# Scheme is applicable from the academic year 2009-10. Upper income limit for eligibility is Rs.4.5 Lakhs p.a.
# Subsidy available only once either for undergraduate or post graduate or integrated course.
# Subsidy not admissible for those who discontinue the course, are expelled from the institution for any reason. Exception is discontinuation on medical grounds.