Funds for scholarships and fellowships have seen a sharp decline after the introduction of National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020. As we enter the fourth year of the policy, minority scholarships have seen cuts up to Rs 1,000 crore and newly formed umbrella programmes, such as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP), that bundle existing schemes, are receiving about Rs 500 crore less than in the years prior to NEP, shows an analysis of budget estimates over the years.
Even though the NEP 2020 states that it will "provide more financial assistance and scholarships to socio-economically disadvantaged students", budget documents show that many scholarship schemes, except for the post-matric scholarships, have seen substantial cuts. So much so that current allocations are far below budgets five years ago. The central government also scrapped vital scholarship schemes such as the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) again, for minorities and the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) for youths interested in pursuing general science programmes.
The Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for Scheduled Castes (SC) saw increased allocations in 2023-24 and 2024-25, but even then fell well short of what the scheme received in 2021-22. The SHREYAS scheme for the Other Backward Classes (OBC) saw an even larger cut. Even funds for research and innovation in universities have almost halved since the introduction of NEP. The NEP was adopted through a Union Cabinet approval in July 2020.
PM-USP
Academics have long argued that post-NEP 2020, all universities have faced cuts. This lack of grants caused a fee hike which, they said, was supposed to be offset through scholarships. However, budget documents show that many major scholarships have been receiving reduced funding.
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Careers 360.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Careers 360.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The 50 colleges in 5 countries where most Indians go for MBBS abroad
Data on countries and colleges from the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) 2022 - the latest available - shows that most Indians who completed medical degrees abroad and wrote the FMGE went to five countries.
Foreign medical colleges: Look before you leap
A close look at foreign medical colleges that thousands of Indians have graduated from shows that many are unaccredited, don’t have hospitals or even their own websites
'Either I clear FMGE or leave the country'
After spending lakhs on MBBS degrees abroad, thousands spend years trying to clear the FMGE. That is the only option for Indian graduates of foreign medical colleges to build a career in India
Why hundreds of nursing graduates leave India each year
There has been an increase in nursing institutes over the past two decades but policy gaps, lax regulations, poor pay and opportunities are pushing a large number of nursing staff to seek opportunities abroad
In Kashmir, why NEET and JEE candidates flock to private reading halls to prepare for exams
These are accessible round-the-clock, even on public holidays, have private cabins and booths, kitchen, discussion area and some, even places for napping
Battling despair and depression in medical school
Long hours, bullying, lack of support make a difficult programme tougher for medical students. They hope for clear guidelines from the NMC
This father-daughter duo uncovered a scam in NEET admissions in West Bengal
Several generalcategory students had secured admission in medical colleges with forged ST certificates. Ishita Soren spotted the names, and her father followed up
'Forced to take up bonded labour
There's massive resistance to a state policy in Karnataka that requires even private medical college graduates to do one year's mandatory rural service
‘A routine circus': PG medical students lobby, move court to get stipends
Despite NMC orders, many medical colleges still seriously underpay resident doctors and threaten them into silence. In government colleges, stipends can be delayed for months
Why Mizoram wants centre to take over its only medical college
Mizoram got its first state medical college in 2018. In 2023, it asked the union government to take over. Mixed up in this are questions of funding, MBBS seat distribution
