Study Abroad Scholarships for Marginalised Communities See 83% Rise in Five Years

According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha, the total number of scholarship recipients has risen from 51 in 2019-20 to 126 in 2023-24, marking an overall increase of approximately 83%.

The number of students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Nomadic Tribes/De-notified Tribes (NT/DNT) receiving the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for studying abroad has increased significantly over the past five years. According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha, the total number of scholarship recipients has risen from 51 in 2019-20 to 126 in 2023-24, marking an overall increase of approximately 83%.

Five-Year Growth in Study Abaord Scholarships

The largest growth has been recorded in the SC category, which saw an increase of 68 students from 2019-20 to 2023-24. The ST category saw a relatively smaller rise of five students, while the NT/DNT category fluctuated over the years but remained within the range of 1 to 5 students annually.

Budget Shortfall Amidst Higher Spending

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs had approved a budgetary outlay of ₹20 crore for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Tribes for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. However, the expenditure has already surpassed the allocated amount, reaching ₹21.95 crore by the financial year 2024-25. As a result, there is now a funding shortfall for the scheme in the final year (2025-26). The Ministry has initiated the process to seek additional funds from the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) to sustain the scheme.

Increase in Scholarship Slots Over the Years

The National Overseas Scholarship slots under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment have expanded significantly:

• From 30 to 60 in 2013-14
• From 60 to 100 in 2014-15
• From 100 to 125 in 2021-22

Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the scholarship slots were increased from 15 to 20 in 2012-13.

The data was provided by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, in a written response to a parliamentary question in Rajya Sabha. The rise in scholarships indicates a growing commitment to supporting marginalised communities in accessing international education. However, the funding challenge for the upcoming year remains a concern that the government will need to address to maintain the program’s sustainability.

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