Post-Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates

Description
The scheme “Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates” has been initiated to provide opportunities to the deprived sections of the society, viz. the Scheduled Caste SC and Scheduled Tribe ST for undertaking postgraduate level studies in Professional subjects like Engineering & Technology, Management, Pharmacy etc. in recognized Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges. Objective: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to 1000 SC/ST candidates to pursue postgraduate level studies in Professional courses.

Exclusions
• General category/ OBC candidates are not eligible to apply under the scheme.
• Candidates pursuing postgraduate courses in professional subjects through correspondence or in Distance Education mode are not eligible to receive financial assistance under this scheme.

Benefits
• The tenure of the award is for two/three years depending upon the tenure of the postgraduate course and not for an extended period of study, if any.
• Candidates selected for the award of PG scholarships (under ME/M.Tech.) shall be provided a Scholarship @ ₹7800/-per month for the duration of the PG Scholarship.
• For other courses, the amount of scholarship will be paid @₹4500/- per month.
• No contingency is payable to the students selected under the scheme with effect from the selection year 2017-18.
• The scholarship shall be payable to the awardee from the date of joining the Post Graduate 1 year course during the selection year.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The students should belong to the SC/ST category.
2. The candidate must have obtained a Graduate degree in the relevant subject and obtained admission at the Postgraduate level for regular full-time courses in any of the Professional subjects in a recognized University/Institution/College.
3. Only students pursuing the first year of a postgraduate course during the current academic year are eligible to apply.
4. For the purpose of award of the scholarship to students who are pursuing professional courses in the following Institutions/ Colleges/Universities:
5. - Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under section 2(f) & and 12(B) of UGC Act.
6. - Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC.
7. - Universities/Institutions/College funded by Central/State Government.
8. - Institutes of National Importance.
9. **Note 01:** Courses which require approval from the Regulatory Council i.e. Medical Council of India (MCI), Dental Council of India (DCI), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), NCTIS, NCTE Bar Council of India (BCI), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), INC, Forensic Regulatory & Development Authority of India are considered professional courses.
10. **Note 02:** M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., MSW and Mass Communication and Journalism degree are accepted as “Non-professional courses”.
11. > **Renewals:**
12. Scholarship granted under the scheme will be kept renewed during the period of first-year Post-Graduate courses subject to good conduct and maintenance of prescribed attendance.
13. The scholarship will be renewed for the next year of study on receipt of an annual progress report to be granted by the administrative head of the University/ Institution/ College. (E.g. Registrar of a University/Director of the Institution/ Principal of the College or any other officer designated by them).
14. Students failing to get promoted to the next class/level would forfeit the scholarship.
15. Change in the course of study will not be permitted.
16. The awardees of previous years will continue to follow the UGC pattern of assistance through the designated bank branches of Canara Bank.
17. > **Cancellation of Award:** The scholarship of a student may be cancelled in any of the following cases:-
18. Failure of the awardee to pass the first year of the Post-Graduate course in first division or equivalent CGPA score.
19. Discontinuation of studies due to personal reasons.
20. The candidate is later found ineligible on account of false information provided in the online application or incorrect bank details.

Required Documents
• Copy of Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size Photograph
• Proof of age
• Mark Sheets/Grade Cards & Degrees
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• Disability certificate, if applicable
• Any other document, as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to 1000 SC/ST candidates to pursue postgraduate level studies in Professional courses.

Q: Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
A: University Grants Commission, Government of India

Q: Are all candidates pursuing post graduate courses in Indian Universities/ Colleges/ Institutes eligible for this award?
A: This scheme is meant only for SC/ST students. General category/ OBC candidates
are not eligible to apply under the scheme.

Q: Are students belonging to SC/ST category who are pursuing post-graduation through correspondence/ distance mode eligible for the award?
A: No. Candidates pursuing post-graduate courses in professional subjects through
correspondence or in Distance Education mode are not eligible to receive financial
assistance under this scheme.

Q: Are awardees selected under this scheme eligible to draw contingency and HRA?
A: No. The awardees are only eligible to receive scholarship amount.

Q: Are students of eligible category who are pursuing post graduation and are in the second year of study eligible to apply under the scheme?
A: No. Only students pursuing the first year of a post-graduate course during the current academic
year are eligible to apply.

Q: Will the change in course of study be permitted?
A: No, the change in the course of study will not be permitted.

Q: Which are the courses accepted as “Non-professional courses”?
A: M.A., M.Sc., M.Com., MSW and Mass Communication and Journalism degrees are
accepted as "Non-professional courses".

Q: How many numbers of scholarship will be awarded per year under the Scheme?
A: The scholarship will be provided to 1000 SC/ST candidates per year.

Q: How can an student apply for the scheme?
A: The candidates fulfilling the eligibility conditions are required to apply online on National
Scholarship Portal after issue of advertisement to be published by the UGC once in a year through leading newspaper and Employment News and also on UGC website.