The Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) is a proposal set to be implemented from the fiscal year 2021-22 through to 2025-26. The scheme aims at merging two existing Central Sector Schemes oriented towards Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs). These are namely the National Fellowship for OBC and the Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs and EBCs.
A Peek Into the SHREYAS Scheme
Managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the key objective of these schemes is to elevate OBCs and EBCs educationally through financial assistance and interest subsidies on educational loans for overseas studies.
National Fellowship for OBC Students: A Closer Look
This component of the SHREYAS scheme aims to financially support OBC students pursuing higher education, specifically M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees at recognized universities, research, and scientific institutions. Every year, a thousand Junior Research Fellowships are offered for advanced studies and research to students who have successfully passed specific tests such as the UGC-NET or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF Joint Test.
Understanding the Financial Assistance Framework
Financial backing is extended via the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation. Fellowship rates are fixed at Rs. 31,000 per month for JRF and Rs. 35,000 monthly for SRF, along with contingencies. Provisions are made for seat reservations for disabled students, alongside additional slots beyond the reserved government quotas.
Dr. Ambedkar Scheme: Subsidizing Educational Loans
This scheme, as part of the broader SHREYAS Scheme, provides interest subsidies on educational loans for OBCs and EBCs pursuing approved courses abroad at the Masters, M.Phil, and Ph.D. levels. The financial assistance scheme is introduced through Canara Bank and aligns with existing Educational Loan Schemes.
Understanding the Eligibility and Repayment Criteria
Eligibility is contingent upon income restrictions based on Creamy Layer criteria for OBC candidates and an income cap of Rs. 5.00 lakh per annum for EBC candidates. The financial aid is split equally between male and female candidates. During the moratorium period, the government bears 100% of the interest. After this period, the repayment responsibility shifts to the student.
Other Education-Oriented Schemes in India
India also hosts other schemes geared towards enhancing education such as the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PM SHRI Schools, National Means cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS), Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Understanding the Constitutional Provisions Related to Education in India
The Directive Principles of State Policy, Rural and Urban Local Bodies, Fifth Schedule, Sixth Schedule, and Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution have bearings on the education sector.
Main Objectives of Population Education
Discussions revolve around the central objectives of Population Education while pinpointing the measures taken to achieve these in India.