INVC,,
Delhi,,
The merit-cum-means scholarship scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2007 for students belonging to Minority communities. It is being implemented through State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. Under this scheme scholarships are available for pursuing professional and technical courses in the country, at graduate and post-graduate levels, in institutions recognized by the appropriate authority. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Minority Affairs, said that every year 20,000 fresh scholarships are proposed to be awarded in addition to the renewals. 30% of these scholarships are earmarked for girl students.
To be eligible, a student should have secured admission in any technical or professional institution, recognized by an appropriate authority. In case of students admitted without a competitive examination, students should have secured not less than 50% marks. The annual income of the family from all sources should not exceed Rs.2.50 lakhs. Seventy institutes for professional and technical courses have been listed in the scheme. Eligible students from the minority communities admitted to these institutions are reimbursed full course fee. Course fee of Rs.20,000/- per annum is reimbursed to students studying in other institutions.
Under the Merit-cum- means based scholarship scheme, there is no earmarking of funds State-wise. The year-wise fund allocation and expenditure under the scheme since its inception is given below:-
Year Budgeted Amount( in Rupees) Expenditure(in Rupees)
2007-08 54.00 crore 40.80 crore
2008-09 65.00 crore 64.79 crore
2009-10 100.00 crore 97.51 crore
2010-11 135.00 crore 2.37crore (till 30.6.2010)
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