Trichy: Tamil Nadu govt has allocated Rs131 crore for the SC/ST overseas scholarship scheme, which is double the last year’s allocation. The allocation is expected to benefit 362 students seeking scholarships to pursue higher education abroad at reputed universities, such as top-ranked institutions in the QS rankings.The allocation marks a 100% increase from the Rs65 crore provided for the scheme last year. The scheme, called as ‘Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scheme’, has been a flagship initiative of the social justice department even during the previous govt, with the number of beneficiaries steadily increasing over the past few years.
When it was launched in 2021-22, it had an allocation of Rs5.3 crore and benefited nine students. The number remained at nine in 2022-23, before increasing to 35 in 2023-24. Since then, both the number of beneficiaries and the allocation for the scheme have increased steadily. The scheme saw an intake of 200 SC/ST students pursue higher education abroad last year.
SC/ST students with annual family income of below Rs8 lakh are eligible for Rs36 lakh a year for PG or doctoral studies abroad.
