Indian Government announces scholarship schemes for higher education

In oder to encourage students who want to pursue higher education especially in the field of sciences, the Central Government of India announced scholarship schemes worth over INR 30 billion.

The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, gave its approval for implementation of a central sector scheme of scholarship for college and university students at a cost of INR 10 billion during the 11th Plan period. The approval also includes a renewal of the scholarships of the national scholarship holders till completion of their courses. This would help the meritorious students, belonging to poorer sections to pursue higher studies. The Government has also approved initiation of a new programme called 'Scholarship for Higher Education' (SHE) - a component of 'Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research' (INSPIRE), at a total cost of INR 8.20 billion. SHE aims to attract talented youth for higher education in science intensive programmes by providing scholarships and mentoring through summer attachments to performing researchers. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also gave its nod for introduction of a new centrally-sponsored scheme of 'inclusive education of the disabled at the secondary stage' in place of the existing scheme of integrated education for such children.