Umbrella Scheme of “SHREYAS” comprising 4 central sector sub- schemes

Source: The post is based on the article “Umbrella Scheme of “SHREYAS” comprising 4 central sector sub- schemes” published in “PIB” on 4th October 2023

What is the News?

This article talks about the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS).

What is SHREYAS Scheme?

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Aim: To bridge educational disparities by providing financial support, coaching, and overseas opportunities to SCs and OBCs.

Sub-Schemes: The scheme comprises of four central sector sub-schemes:

Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs: The objective of the Scheme is to provide coaching of good quality for economically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) candidates to enable them appear in competitive and entrance examinations for obtaining appropriate jobs in Public/Private Sector as well as for securing admission in reputed technical and professional higher education institutions. 

– Income ceiling: The ceiling of the total family income under the scheme is 8 lakhs per annum.

– Seats allotted: 3500 slots are allotted per annum.The ratio of SC: OBC students is 70:30 and 30% slots are reserved for females in each category. 

– In case of non-availability of adequate number of candidates in SC category the Ministry can relax this ratio. However, in no case, less than 50% SC students shall be permitted.

Top Class Education for SCs: The Scheme aims at recognizing and promoting quality education amongst students belonging to SCs, by providing full financial support. 

– Coverage: The scheme will cover SC students for pursuing studies beyond 12th class.

– Income ceiling: The ceiling of the total family income under the scheme is 8 lakhs per annum.

– Institutes covered: Presently, 266 higher education institutes which includes Government institutes and private institutes such as all the IIMs, IITs, NITs and top 100 National Institutional ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking institutes.

– Financial support: The scheme will provide tuition fee, academic allowance, and other expenses.

National Overseas Scheme for SCs: It aims to provide financial assistance to the selected students from SCs, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural laborers and traditional artisan categories for pursuing masters and Ph.D. level courses abroad.

Eligibility criteria: The total family income including the candidate should be less than Rs. 8 lakhs per annum.

– Moreover, the candidate should have secured more than 60% marks in the qualifying examination, is below 35 years of age and secured admission in top 500 QS ranking foreign Institutes/ Universities.

National Fellowship for SC Students: Under the scheme, fellowship is provided to Scheduled Castes students for pursuing higher education leading to M.Phil/ Ph.D degrees in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Institutions/ Colleges recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC).

– Eligibility: Students should have qualified the National Eligibility Test- Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC and Junior Research Fellows for Science stream qualifying UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) Joint Test.

– Seats: Provides 2000 new slots annually (500 for Science and 1500 for Humanities/Social Sciences.